Ion sensitive, water-dispersible fabrics, a method of making same and items using same

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, water-dispersible fabric. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymer formulations and their applicability as binder compositions for disposable items. The present invention is further directed to disposable items, such as wet-wipes comprising ion-sensitive, water-dispersible binder.

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 09/564,212 May 4, 2000, and this application also claims benefit of provisional patent application Serial No. 60/318,568, filed Sep. 10, 2001. The entirety of application Ser. No. 09/564,212, filed May 4, 2000 is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For many years, the problem of disposability has plagued industries which provide disposable items, such as, diapers, wet wipes, incontinent garments and feminine care products. While much headway has been made in addressing this problem, one of the weak links has been the inability to create an economical coherent fibrous web, which will readily dissolve or disintegrate in water, but still have sufficient in-use strength. See, for example, U.K. Patent disclosure 2,241,373 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,233. Without such a product, the ability of the user to dispose of the product by flushing it down the toilet is greatly reduced, if not eliminated. Furthermore, the ability of the product to disintegrate in a landfill is quite limited because a large portion of the product components, which may well be biodegradable or photodegradable, are encapsulated in or bound together by plastic which degrades over a long period of time, if at all. Accordingly, if the plastic disintegrated in the presence of water, the internal components could degrade as a result of the rupture of the plastic encapsulation or binding.

Disposable products, such as diapers, feminine care products and adult incontinent care products may be made to be disposed by flushing down toilets. Usually such products comprise a body side liner which must rapidly pass fluids, such as urine or menses, so that the fluid may be absorbed by an absorbent core of the product. Typically, the body side liner may be a coherent fibrous web, which desirably possesses a number of characteristics, such as softness and flexibility. The fibrous web of the body side liner material may be typically formed by wet or dry (air) laying a generally random plurality of fibers and joining them together to form a coherent web with a binder compositions. Past binder compositions have performed this function well. However, fibrous webs comprising these compositions tended to be non-dispersible and present problems in typical household sanitation systems.

Recent binder compositions have been developed which can be more dispersible and are more environmentally responsible than past binder compositions. One class of binder compositions includes polymeric materials having inverse solubility in water. These binder compositions are insoluble in warm water, but are soluble in cold water, such as found in a toilet. It is well known that a number of polymers exhibit cloud points or inverse solubility properties in aqueous media. These polymers have been cited in several publications for various applications, including (1) as evaporation retarders (JP 6207162); (2) as temperature sensitive compositions, which are useful as temperature indicators due to a sharp color change associated with a corresponding temperature change (JP 6192527); (3) as heat sensitive materials that are opaque at a specific temperature and become transparent when cooled to below the specific temperature (JP 51003248 and JP 81035703); (4) as wound dressings with good absorbing characteristics and easy removal (JP 6233809); and (5) as materials in flushable personal care products (U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,913, issued to Richard S. Yeo on Apr. 23, 1996 and assigned to Kimberly-Clark Corporation).

Other recent binders of interest include a class of binders, which are ion-sensitive. Several U.S. and European patents assigned to Lion Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, disclose ion-sensitive polymers comprising acrylic acid and alkyl or aryl acrylates. See U.S. Patent Nos. 5,312,883, 5,317,063 and 5,384,189, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, as well as, European Patent No. 608460A1. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,883, terpolymers are disclosed as suitable binders for flushable nonwoven webs. The disclosed acrylic acid-based terpolymers, which comprise partially neutralized acrylic acid, butyl acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, are suitable binders for use in flushable nonwoven webs in some parts of the world. However, because of the presence of a small amount of sodium acrylate in the partially neutralized terpolymer, these binders fail to disperse in water containing more than about 15 ppm Ca²⁺ and/or Mg²⁺. When placed in water containing more than about 15 ppm Ca²⁺ and/or Mg²⁺ ions, nonwoven webs using the above-described binders maintain a tensile strength greater than 30 g/in, which negatively affects the “dispersibility” of the web. The proposed mechanism for the failure is that each calcium ion binds with two carboxylate groups either intramolecularly or intermolecularly. Intramolecular association causes the polymer chain to coil up, which eventually leads to polymer precipitation. Intermolecular association yields crosslinking. Whether intramolecular or intermolecular associations are taking place, the terpolymer is not soluble in water containing more than about 15 ppm Ca²⁺ and/or Mg²⁺. Due to the strong interaction between calcium ions and the carboxylate groups of the terpolymer, dissociation of the complex is highly unlikely. Therefore, the above-described polymer that has been exposed to a high Ca²⁺ and/or Mg²⁺ concentration solution will not disperse in water even if the calcium concentration decreases. This limits the application of the polymer as a flushable binder material because most areas across the U.S. have hard water, which contains more than 15 ppm Ca²⁺ and/or Mg²⁺.

In a co-pending application assigned to Kimberly Clark; i.e., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/223,999, filed Dec. 31, 1998 and related case WO/0038751, published on Jul. 6, 2000, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, there is disclosed a modification of the acrylic acid terpolymers of the above-referenced patents to Lion Corporation. Specifically, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/223,999 discloses a sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid terpolymers which has improved dispersibility in relatively hard water; e.g., up to 200 ppm Ca²⁺ and/or Mg²⁺, compared to the unmodified Lion polymers. However, the Lion Corporation ion-sensitive polymers of the above-referenced patents and the sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid terpolymers of the co-pending application, when used as binders for personal care products, such as wet wipes, typically have reduced sheet wettability, increased sheet stiffness, increased sheet stickiness, reduced binder sprayability and relatively high product cost.

Another approach to dispersible personal care products is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,306 to Kao Corporation of Tokyo, Japan. This patent discloses a water-disintegratable cleansing sheet; i.e., wet wipe, comprising water-dispersible fibers treated with a water-soluble binder having a carboxyl group. The cleansing sheet is treated with a cleansing agent containing 5%-95% of a water-compatible organic solvent and 95%-5% water. A preferred organic solvent is propylene glycol. The cleansing sheet retains wet strength and does not disperse in the organic solvent-based cleansing agent, but disperses in water.

Although many patents disclose various ion and temperature sensitive compositions for water-dispersible or flushable materials, there exists a need for dispersible products possessing softness, flexibility, three dimensionality, and resiliency; wicking and structural integrity in the presence of body fluids (including feces) at body temperature; and true fiber dispersion after toilet flushing so that fibers do not become entangled with tree roots or at bends in sewer pipes. In addition, the known ion-sensitive polymers, such as those of Lion Corporation and the co-pending application of Kimberly Clark, have relatively high viscosities at high shear rates that make application by spraying impossible or impractical. Moreover, there is a need in the art for flushable products having water-dispersibility in all areas of the world, including soft and hard water areas. Furthermore, there is a need for water-dispersible binders that do not reduce wettability of product with which they are used and are sprayable for easy and uniform application to and penetration into products. Finally, there is a need for water-dispersible, flushable wet wipes that are stable during storage and retain a desired level of wet strength during use and are wetted with a wetting composition that is relatively free, or is substantially free, of organic solvents. Such a product is needed at a reasonable cost without compromising product safety and environmental concerns, something that past products have achieved with only limited success.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to water dispersible fibrous fabrics or material compositions comprising, in part, an ion-sensitive water-dispersible binder which has been developed to address the above-described problems associated with currently available, ion-sensitive polymers and other polymers described in literature. The ion-sensitive compositions of the present invention include polymer formulations which have a “trigger property,” such that the polymers of the fabric are insoluble in a wetting composition comprising ions of a particular type and concentration, such as monovalent salt solutions at a concentration from about 0.3% to about 10%, but can be dispersed when diluted with water, including divalent and/or multivalent salt solutions such as hard water with up to 200 ppm (parts per million, by weight) calcium and magnesium ions. Unlike some ion-sensitive polymer formulations, which lose dispersibility in hard water because of ion cross-linking by calcium ions, the polymer formulations and thus the compositions of the present invention are relatively insensitive to calcium and/or magnesium ions. Consequently, flushable products containing the fabric or compositions of the present invention maintain dispersibility in hard water. Furthermore, the ion-sensitive polymer formulations of the present invention can have improved properties of sprayability or reduced high-shear viscosity, improved product wettability or decreased properties of product stiffness and stickiness.

The products or materials of the present invention are useful structural components for air-laid and wet-laid nonwoven fabrics for applications such as body-side liners, fluid distribution materials, fluid intake materials (surge) or cover stock in various personal care products. The flushable products maintain integrity or wet strength during storage and use, and break apart or disperse after disposal in the toilet when the salt concentration falls below a critical level. Suitable substrates for treatment include, but are not limited to, tissue, such as creped or uncreped tissue, coform products, hydroentangled webs, airlaid mats, fluff pulp, nonwoven webs, and composites thereof. Methods for producing uncreped tissues and molded three-dimensional tissue webs of use in the present invention can be found in commonly owned U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 08/912,906, “Wet Resilient Webs and Disposable Articles Made Therewith,” by F. J. Chen et al., filed Aug. 15, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,686, issued to Chiu et al. on Jul. 4, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,412, issued to S. J. Sudall and S. A. Engel on Mar. 21, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,248, issued to Wendt et al. on Sep. 30, 1997; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,551, issued to Farrington et al. on Mar. 4, 1997; all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. The molded tissue structures of the above patents can be especially helpful in providing good cleaning in a wet wipe. Good cleaning can also be promoted by providing a degree of texture in other substrates as well by embossing, molding, wetting and through-air drying on a textured fabric, and the like.

Airlaid material can be formed by metering an airflow containing the fibers and other optional materials, in substantially dry condition, onto a typically horizontally moving wire forming screen. Suitable systems and apparatus for air-laying mixtures of fibers and thermoplastic material are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,157,724 (Persson), issued Jun. 12, 1979, and reissued Dec. 25, 1984 as Re. U.S. Pat. No. 31,775; U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,113 (Persson), issued Jul. 14, 1981; U.S. Pat. No. 4,264,289 (Day), issued Apr. 28, 1981; U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,649 (Jacobsen et al.), issued Oct. 5, 1982; U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,687 (Hosler, et al.), issued Oct. 12, 1982; U.S. Pat. No. 4,494,278 (Kroyer, et al.), issued Jan. 22, 1985; U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,806 (Johnson), issued Dec. 9, 1986; U.S. Pat. No. 4,650,409 (Nistri, et al.), issued Mar. 17, 1987; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,980 (Farley), issued Feb. 16, 1988; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,810 (Laursen et al.), issued Feb. 3, 1987.

The present invention also discloses how to make water-dispersible nonwovens, including cover stock (liner), intake (surge) materials and wet wipes, which are stable in fluids having a first ionic composition, such as monovalent ions at a particular concentration greater than is found in typical hard water, using the above-described unique polymer formulations as binder compositions. The resultant nonwovens are flushable and water-dispersible due to the tailored ion sensitivity, which can be triggered regardless of the hardness of water found in toilets throughout the United States and the world. Dispersible products in accordance with the present invention also can have improved properties of softness and flexibility. Such products may also have reduced stickiness. In some embodiments, the polymer formulations with which such articles are treated can have improved properties of sprayability, which improves polymer distribution on the product and penetration into the product, in addition to ease of application, which translates into cost savings.

The present invention also discloses the unexpected benefits obtained where less than about 20%, desirably about 10-15%, of the fibers of the fibrous substrate comprising the water-dispersible fabric have a length of about 6 to about 10 mm, desirably about 7 to about 9 mm, and most desirably about 8 mm. The present invention discloses that where the fabric or composite is comprised of such percentage of fibers having such length that a certain amount of engagement or overlapping (which may also include interweaving and/or entangling) of the fibers occurs that unexpected strength is experienced by the fabric even in the absence of a binder. This is especially true when the Dry Tensile Strength of the material is compared to that of a material having less engagement. This additional sheet strength allows for an increase in processing or line speed of the product. In turn, the increase in processing or line speed of the product allows for an increase in the amount of product produced, thereby contributing to increased profits. It is noted that while the engagement of the fibers provides an increase in dry sheet strength, it does not significantly affect the dispersibility of the sheet, nor does it significantly increase the incidence of tangling or roping. The present invention also provides additional benefit in the production or manufacture of the product in that less binder is needed to achieve and maintain the desired fabric strength characteristics. It has been determined that the present invention provides for the use of less than about 25%, desirably about 5-20%, more desirably about 10-15% by weight binder or glue. The use of less binder in production provides not only for lower costs, but also provides for an increase in the ability to wet the fibers of the substrate at higher sheet speed as well as greater dispersibility speed.

The present invention further discloses an improved wetting composition for wet wipes. Wet wipes employing the fabric or composition of the present invention are stable during storage and retain a desired level of wet strength during use and are wetted with a wetting composition or cleaning agent that can be relatively free, or is substantially free, of organic solvents.

Definitions

As used herein the following terms have the specified meanings, unless the context demands a different meaning, or a different meaning is expressed; also, the singular generally includes the plural, and the plural generally includes the singular unless otherwise indicated.

As used herein, the term “cellulosic” is meant to include any material having cellulose as a major constituent, and, desirably, comprising at least 50 percent by weight cellulose or a cellulose derivative. Thus, the term includes cotton, typical wood pulps, non-woody cellulosic fibers, cellulose acetate, cellulose triacetate, rayon, thermomechanical wood pulp, chemical wood pulp, debonded chemical wood pulp, milkweed, or bacterial cellulose.

As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising” and other derivatives from the root term “comprise” are intended to be open-ended terms that specify the presence of any stated features, elements, integers, steps, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “denier” means a weight-per-unit-length of any linear material. Specifically, denier is the number of units weights of 0.05 grams per 450 meter length or the weight in grams of 9,000 meters of the material.

As used herein, the term “fabric” means a material comprising a network of fibers including, but not limited to, woven or knitted materials, tufted or tufted-like materials, nonwoven webs, and so forth.

As used herein, the term “layer” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single element or a plurality of elements.

As used herein, the terms “lotion” or “ointment” are generally interchangeable and mean a formulation, powder or combination thereof comprising skin health ingredients, or compositions which are skin compatible but which do not in and of themselves provide skin health or skin wellness benefits.

As used herein, the term “machine-direction” or MD means the direction of a fabric in the direction in which it is produced. The term “cross-direction” or CD means the direction of a fabric generally perpendicular to the MD.

As used herein, the term “medicament” refers to any compound or composition that provides a benefit or therapeutic effect upon and/or to the skin by physical contact with the skin. This benefit or therapeutic effect can be achieved upon initial application and/or over time with continued use.

As used herein the terms “nonwoven” and “nonwoven fabric” or “nonwoven web” mean a web having a structure of individual fibers, filaments or threads which are randomly arranged or interlaid in a mat-like fashion (including papers), but not in an identifiable manner as in a knitted fabric. Nonwoven fabrics or webs have been formed from many processes such as for example, air-laid processes, wet-laid processes, hydroentangling processes, meltblowing processes, spunbonding processes, staple fiber carding and bonding, and solution spinning. The basis weight of nonwoven fabrics is usually expressed in ounces of material per square yard (osy) or grams per square meter (gsm) and the fiber diameters or sizes useful are usually expressed in microns, denier or decitex (dtex). (Note that to convert from osy to gsm, multiply osy by 33.91).

As used herein, the term “personal care product” or “personal care absorbent product” means diapers, training pants, swim wear, absorbent underpants, baby wipes, adult incontinence products, sanitary wipes, wet wipes, feminine hygiene products, wound dressings and bandages and other personal hygiene oriented items.

As used herein, the term “skin-care additives” represents additives, which provide one or more benefits to the user, such as a reduction in the probability of having diaper rash and/or other skin damage caused by fecal enzymes. As used herein, the tern skin-care additives may specifically include, but is not limited to, emollients, lotions, ointments, medicaments, or topical applications.

As used herein, the term “soft water” refers to water having a divalent and/or multivalent ion content of less than about 10 ppm. As used herein, the term “moderately hard water” refers to water having a divalent and/or multivalent ion content of from about 10 to about 50 ppm. As used herein, the term “hard water” refers to water having a divalent and/or multivalent ion content of more than about 50 ppm up to about 200 ppm.

As used herein, the term “tex” means a unit for expressing linear density, equal to the weight in grams of 1 kilometer (1000 meters) of yarn, filament, fiber, or other textile strand. As used herein, the term “decitex” or “dtex” means a unit for expressing linear density, equal to the weight in grams of 10,000 meters of yarn, filament, fiber, or other textile strand. (Dtex/10=Tex).

As used herein, the term “topical application” means any overlayer type of material surface modification, including, but not limited to any polishes, cleaning or cleansing agents, and the like, as well as any lotions, ointments, powders or combinations thereof. For purposes of this application, the term “surface enhancing agent” is generally interchangeable with the term topical application.

These terms may be defined with additional language in the remaining portions of the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 representatively shows a perspective view of an example of a stack of wet wipes according to the present invention wherein each individual wet wipe is arranged in a z-folded configuration.

FIG. 2 representatively shows a partially unfolded perspective view of one of the wet wipes representatively illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 representatively shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the water dispersible fabric of the present invention in roll form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to be effective ion-sensitive formulations suitable for use in flushable or water-dispersible personal care products of the present invention, the formulations should desirably be (1) functional; i.e., maintain wet strength under controlled conditions and dissolve or disperse rapidly in soft or hard water such as found in toilets and sinks around the world; (2) safe (not toxic); and (3) relatively economical. In addition to the foregoing factors, the ion-sensitive formulations when used as a binder composition for a non-woven substrate, such as a wet wipe, desirably should be (4) processable on a commercial basis; i.e., may be applied relatively quickly on a large scale basis, such as by spraying, which thereby requires that the binder composition have a relatively low viscosity at high shear; (5) provide acceptable levels of sheet or substrate wettability; and (6) provide improved product feel, such as improved product flexibility and reduced stickiness. The wetting composition with which the wet wipes of the present invention are treated can provide some of the foregoing advantages, and, in addition, can provide one or more of (7) improved skin care, such as reduced skin irritation or other benefits, (8) improved tactile properties, and (9) promote good cleaning by providing a balance in use between friction and lubricity on the skin (skin glide). The ion-sensitive polymer formulations which are part of the fabrics and composition of the present invention, especially wet wipes comprising particular wetting compositions set forth below, can meet many or all of the above criteria. Of course, it is not necessary for all of the advantages of the preferred embodiments of the present invention to be met to fall within the scope of the present invention.

The polymer formulations used in the present invention may be formed from a single triggerable polymer, such as an ion-sensitive polymer, or from a combination of two or more different polymers, such as a triggerable polymer and a co-binder. Desirably, at least one polymer of the polymer formulations of the present invention is an ion-sensitive polymer. Ion-sensitive polymers are known in the art and include any polymer whose water solubility varies depending on the type and amount of ions present in water. Ion-sensitive polymers useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to the Lion polymers discussed above, such as the Lion acrylic acid terpolymer, the sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid terpolymer of the co-pending application Ser. No. 09/223,999 assigned to Kimberly Clark Worldwide, Inc.; the acrylic acid free polymers of the co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/565,623, also assigned to Kimberly Clark Worldwide, Inc.; as well as, other ion- and chemical-sensitive polymers, including the polymers of U.S. Pat. No. 6,043,317, issued Mar. 28, 2000 to Mumick et al., and also assigned to Kimberly Clark Worldwide, Inc.; the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Other known triggerable polymers include temperature-sensitive and heat-sensitive polymers, as well as, polymers which become dispersible in the presence of a dispersion aid added to the water of a toilet bowl or other water source, as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,948,710, issued Sep. 7, 1999 to Pomplun et al. and assigned to Kimberly Clark Worldwide, Inc., the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No. 5,948,710 also indicates that another means for rendering a polymer degradable in water is through the use of temperature change. Certain polymers exhibit a cloud point temperature. As a result, these polymers will precipitate out of a solution at a particular temperature, which is the cloud point. These polymers can be used to form fibers, which are insoluble in water above a certain temperature, but which become soluble and thus degradable in water at a lower temperature. As a result, it is possible to select or blend a polymer and thus a fabric or composition, which will not degrade in body fluids, such as urine, at or near body temperature (37° C.) but which will degrade when placed in water at temperatures below body temperature, for example, at room temperature (23° C.). An example of such a polymer is polyvinylmethylether, which has a cloud point of 34° C. When this polymer is exposed to body fluids such as urine at 37° C., it will not degrade as this temperature is above its cloud point (34° C.). However, if the polymer is placed in water at room temperature (23° C.), the polymer will, with time, go back into solution as it is now exposed to water at a temperature below its cloud point. Consequently, the polymer will begin to degrade. Blends of polyvinylmethylether and copolymers may be considered as well. Other cold water soluble polymers include poly(vinyl alcohol) graft copolymers supplied by the Nippon Synthetic Chemical Company, Ltd. of Osaka, Japan, which are coded Ecomaty AX2000, AX10000 and AX300G.

Ion-Sensitive Polymers

The ion-sensitive Lion polymers and the ion-sensitive polymers of the above-referenced co-pending applications and U.S. patents of Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. are useful in the present invention. The sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid terpolymers of co-pending patent application Ser. No. 09/223,999, assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., are desired because, unlike the Lion Corporation polymers and other polymers cited in technical literature, the polymers of the co-pending application Ser. No. 09/223,999 are soluble in water having from less than about 10 ppm Ca²⁺ and/or Mg²⁺ up to about 200 ppm Ca²⁺ and/or Mg²⁺. The polymers of the co-pending application are formulated to minimize the potentially strong interaction between the anions of the polymers and the cations in the water. This strong interaction can be explained via the hard-soft acid-base theory proposed by R. G. Pearson in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 85, pg. 3533 (1963); or N. S. Isaacs in the textbook, Physical Organic Chemistry, published by Longman Scientific and Technical with John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York (1987). Hard anions and hard cations interact strongly with one another. Soft anions and soft cations also interact strongly with one another. However, soft anions and hard cations, and vice-versa, interact weakly with one another. In the Lion polymers, the carboxylate anion of the sodium acrylate is a hard anion, which interacts strongly with the hard cations, Ca²⁺ and/or Mg²⁺, present in moderately hard and hard water. By replacing the carboxylate anions with a softer anion, such as a sulfonate anion, the interaction between the anions of an ion-triggerable polymer and the hard cations, Ca²⁺ and/or Mg²⁺, present in moderately hard and hard water, is reduced.

By controlling the hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance and the composition of the polymers as well as the combination of polymers forming the formulation, the ion-sensitive polymer formulations having desired in-use binding strength and water-dispersibility in water are produced. The ion-sensitive polymer can be a copolymer, such as a terpolymer.

Ion-sensitive acrylic acid copolymers of the present invention may comprise any combination of acrylic acid monomers and acrylic ester (alkyl acrylate) monomers capable of free radical polymerization into a copolymer and, specifically, a terpolymer. Suitable acrylic acid monomers include, but are not limited to, acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. Suitable acrylic monomers include, but are not limited to, acrylic esters and methacrylic esters having an alkyl group of 1 to 18 carbon atoms or a cycloalkyl group of 3 to 18 carbon atoms and it is preferred that acrylic esters and/or methacrylic esters having an alkyl group of 1 to 12 carbon atoms or a cycloalkyl group of 3 to 12 carbon atoms be used singly or in combination. Other suitable monomers include, but are not limited to, acrylamide and methacrylamide based monomers, such as acrylamide, N,N-dimethyl acrylamide, N-ethyl acrylamide, N-isopropyl acrylamide, and hydroxymethyl acrylamide; N-vinylpyrrolidinone; N-vinylforamide; hydroxyalkyl acrylates and hydroxyalkyl methacrylates, such as hydroxyethyl methacrylate and hydroxyethyl acrylate. Other suitable acrylic acid monomers and acrylic ester monomers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,063, assigned to Lion Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. A particularly preferred acrylic acid terpolymer is LION SSB-3b, available from Lion Corporation. (In alternative embodiments, the binder is formed from ion-sensitive polymers formed from monomers other than acrylic acid or its derivatives, or is relatively free of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and salts thereof.)

The relative amounts of the monomers in the acrylic acid copolymer of the present invention may vary depending on the desired properties in the resulting polymer. The mole percent of acrylic acid monomer in the copolymer maybe up to about 70 mole percent. More desirably, the mole percent of acrylic acid monomer in the copolymer maybe from about 15 to about 70 mole percent. Most desirably, the mole percent of acrylic acid monomer in the copolymer maybe from about 40 to about 65 mole percent.

More desirably, examples of the acrylic acid copolymers useful in the present invention may include copolymers of about 10 weight percent to about 90 weight percent, desirably about 20 weight percent to about 70 weight percent of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid and about 90 weight percent to about 10 weight percent, desirably about 80 weight percent to about 30 weight percent of acrylic esters and/or methacrylic esters having an alkyl group of 1 to 18 carbon atoms or a cycloalkyl group of 3 to 18 carbon atoms in which about 1 to about 60 mole percent, desirably about 5 to about 50 mole percent of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid is neutralized to form a salt; or copolymers of about 30 weight percent to about 80 weight percent, desirably about 40 weight percent to about 65 weight percent of acrylic acid, about 5 weight percent to about 30 weight percent, desirably about 10 weight percent to about 25 weight percent of acrylic esters and/or methacrylic esters having an alkyl group of 8 to 12 carbon atoms and about 20 weight percent to about 40 weight percent; desirably about 20 weight percent to about 35 weight percent of acrylic esters and/or methacrylic esters having an alkyl group of 2 to 4 carbon atoms in which about 1 to about 50 mole percent, desirably about 2 to about 40 mole percent of acrylic acid is neutralized to form a salt.

The acrylic acid copolymers of the present invention may have an average molecular weight, which varies depending on the ultimate use of the polymer. The acrylic acid copolymers of the present invention desirably have a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 10,000 to about 5,000,000. More desirably, the acrylic acid copolymers of the present invention have a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 25,000 to about 2,000,000, or, more desirably still, from about 200,000 to about 1,000,000.

The acrylic acid copolymers of the present invention may be prepared according to a variety of polymerization methods, desirably a solution polymerization method. Suitable solvents for the polymerization method include, but are not limited to, lower alcohols such as methanol, ethanol and propanol; a mixed solvent of water and one or more lower alcohols mentioned above; and a mixed solvent of water and one or more lower ketones such as acetone or methyl ethyl ketone.

In the polymerization methods of the present invention, any suitable polymerization initiator may be used. Selection of a particular initiator may depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the polymerization temperature, the solvent, and the monomers used. Suitable polymerization initiators for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile, 2,2′-azobis(2-methylbutyronitrile), 2,2′-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile), 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride, 2,2′-azobis(N,N′-dimethyleneisobutylamidine), potassium persulfate, ammonium persulfate, and aqueous hydrogen peroxide. The amount of polymerization initiator may desirably range from about 0.01 to about 5 weight percent based on the total weight of monomer present.

The polymerization temperature may vary depending on the polymerization solvent, monomers, and initiator used, but in general, ranges from about 20° C. to about 90° C. Polymerization time generally ranges from about 2 to about 8 hours.

The sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid copolymers in accordance with the present invention include hydrophilic monomers, such as acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, incorporated into the acrylic acid copolymers of the present invention along with one or more sulfonate-containing monomers. The sulfonate anions of these monomers are softer than carboxylate anions since the negative charge of the sulfonate anion is delocalized over three oxygen atoms and a larger sulfur atom, as opposed to only two oxygen atoms and a smaller carbon atom in the carboxylate anion. These monomers, containing the softer sulfonate anion, are less interactive with divalent and/or multivalent ions present in hard water, particularly Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions. Suitable sulfonate-containing monomers include, but are not limited to, 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) and organic or inorganic salts of AMPS, such as alkali earth metal and organic amine salts of AMPS, particularly the sodium salt of AMPS (NaAMPS). Additional suitable sulfonate-containing monomers include, but are not limited to, 2-methyl-2-propene sulfonic acid, vinyl sulfonic acid, styrene sulfonic acid, 2-sulfopropyl methacrylate and 3-sulfopropyl acrylate, and organic or inorganic salts thereof, such as alkali earth metals and organic amine salts, such as alkyl ammonium hydroxide wherein the alkyl groups are C₁-C₁₈. To maintain the hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance of the ion-sensitive polymer, one or more hydrophobic monomers are added to the polymer.

The ion-sensitive sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid copolymers of the present invention may be produced from monomers including the following monomers: acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, or a combination thereof; AMPS and organic or inorganic salts thereof, such as the sodium salt thereof (NaAMPS); butyl acrylate; and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate. Desirably, the ion-sensitive sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid copolymers of the present invention are produced from: acrylic acid; AMPS, NaAMPS or a combination thereof; butyl acrylate; and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate. Desirably, the monomers are present in the sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid copolymer at the following mole percents: acrylic acid, about 35 to less than about 80 mole percent; AMPS or NaAMPS, greater than 0 to about 20 mole percent; butyl acrylate, from greater than 0 to about 65 mole percent; and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, from greater than 0 to about 45 mole percent. More desirably, the monomers are present in the sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid copolymer at the following mole percents: acrylic acid, about 50 to about 67 mole percent; AMPS or NaAMPS, from greater than 0 to about 10 mole percent; butyl acrylate, from about 15 to about 28 mole percent; and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, from about 7 to about 15 mole percent. Most desirably, the monomers are present in the sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid copolymer at the following mole percents: acrylic acid, about 57 to about 66 mole percent; AMPS or NaAMPS, from about 1 to about 6 mole percent; butyl acrylate, from about 15 to about 28 mole percent; and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, from about 7 to about 13 mole percent; especially, about 60 mole percent acrylic acid, about 5 mole percent AMPS or NaAMPS, about 24.5 mole percent butyl acrylate and about 10.5 mole percent 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

If AMPS is used as one of the monomers, it is desired to neutralize at least a portion of the acid component. Any inorganic base or organic base may be used as a neutralizing agent to neutralize the acid component. Examples of neutralizing agents include, but are not limited to, inorganic bases, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and sodium carbonate, and amines, such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, diethylaminoethanol, ammonia, trimethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, morpholine. Preferred neutralizing agents include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or a combination thereof.

A sulfonate modified copolymer having salt-sensitivity may also be produced by sulfonation of an existing polymer, such as a copolymer or acrylic acid-derived terpolymer. Methods of sulfonating polymers are well known in the art. Methods for the production of sulfonated or sulfated polymers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,624,069, issued November 1971 to Schwelger; U.S. Pat. No. 4,419,403, issued Dec. 6, 1983 to Varona; U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,967, issued Jun. 4, 1996 to Shet; U.S. Pat. No. 4,220,739, issued Sep. 2, 1980 to Walles, U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,200, issued Jul. 21, 1998 to Motley et al., as well as the following patents: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,400,720; 2,937,066; 2,786,780; 2,832,696; 3,613,957, and 3,740,258, all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. Principles for sulfation and sulfonation (e.g., via sulfamic acid treatment, reaction with thionyl chloride or chlorosulfonic acid, or exposure to sulfur trioxide) are among the pathways disclosed by Samuel Shore and D. R. Berger in “Alcohol and Ether Alcohol Sulfates,” in Anionic Surfactants, Part 1, ed. Warner M. Linfield, New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1976, pp. 135-149; and by Ben E. Edwards, “The Mechanisms of Sulfonation and Sulfation,” in Anionic Surfactants, Part 1, ed. Warner M. Linfield, New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1976, pp. 111-134, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the above-described ion-sensitive polymer formulations are used as binder materials for flushable and/or non-flushable products. In order to be effective as a binder material in flushable products throughout the United States, the ion-sensitive polymer formulations of the present invention remain stable and maintain their integrity while dry or in relatively low concentrations of monovalent ions, but become dispersible in water containing up to about 200 ppm divalent and/or multivalent ions, especially calcium and magnesium ions. Desirably, the ion-sensitive polymer formulations of the present invention including acrylic acid copolymers are insoluble in a salt solution containing at least about 0.3 weight percent of one or more inorganic and/or organic salts containing monovalent ions. More desirably, the ion-sensitive polymer formulations of the present invention including acrylic acid copolymers are insoluble in a salt solution containing from about 0.3 weight percent to about 5 weight percent of one or more inorganic and/or organic salts containing monovalent ions. Even more desirably, the ion-sensitive polymer formulations of the present invention including acrylic acid copolymers are insoluble in salt solutions containing from about 0.3 weight percent to about 4 weight percent of one or more inorganic and/or organic salts containing monovalent ions. Suitable monovalent ions include, but are not limited to, Na⁺ ions, K⁺ ions, Li⁺ ions, NH₄ ⁺ ions, low molecular weight quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g., those having fewer than 5 carbons on any side group), and a combination thereof.

In an alternate embodiment, the ion-sensitive polymer formulations of the present invention including sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid copolymers may be insoluble in a salt solution containing at least about 0.3 weight percent of one or more inorganic and/or organic salts containing monovalent ions. More desirably, the ion-sensitive polymer formulations of the present invention including sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid terpolymers are insoluble in a salt solution containing from about 0.3 weight percent to about 5 weight percent of one or more inorganic and/or organic salts containing monovalent ions. Even more desirably, the ion-sensitive polymer formulations of the present invention including sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid terpolymers are insoluble in salt solutions containing from about 0.3 weight percent to about 4 weight percent of one or more inorganic and/or organic salts containing monovalent ions. Suitable monovalent ions include, but are not limited to, Na⁺ ions, K⁺ ions, Li⁺ ions, NH₄ ⁺ ions, low molecular weight quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g., those having fewer than 5 carbons on any side group), and a combination thereof.

Based on a recent study conducted by the American Chemical Society, water hardness across the United States varies greatly, with CaCO₃ concentration ranging from near zero for soft water to about 500 ppm CaCO₃ (about 200 ppm Ca²⁺ ion) for very hard water. To ensure polymer formulation dispersibility across the country (and throughout the whole world), the ion-sensitive polymer formulations of the present invention are desirably dispersible in water containing up to about 50 ppm Ca²⁺ and/or Mg²⁺ ions. More desirably, the ion-sensitive polymer formulations of the present invention are dispersible in water containing up to about 100 ppm Ca²⁺ and/or Mg²⁺ ions. Even more desirably still, the ion-sensitive polymer formulations of the present invention are dispersible in water containing up to about 150 ppm Ca²⁺ and/or Mg²⁺ ions. Even more desirably still, the ion-sensitive polymer formulations of the present invention are dispersible in water containing up to about 200 ppm Ca²⁺ and/or Mg²⁺ ions.

A wide variety of polymer/surfactant systems may be used to provide the same functionality as the ion-sensitive Lion polymers and the ion-sensitive sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid terpolymers of co-pending patent application Ser. No. 09/223,999, without the need to be limited to sulfonic or carboxylic moieties. Such other systems are described below.

Phosphorylated polymers containing phosphonic groups, thiophsulphonic groups, or other organophosphorous groups as the “soft” anion capable of establishing a mismatch with Ca²⁺ may be used as the ion-sensitive polymer in the present invention. This can include modified cellulose or cellulose derivatives and related gums, made insoluble by the presence of monovalent salts or other electrolytes. In one embodiment, soluble cellulose derivatives, such as CMC, are phosphorylated and rendered insoluble and can be effective as ion-sensitive polymer formulations when in a solution of high ionic strength or of appropriate pH, but are dispersible in tap water. In another embodiment, aminophosphinic groups which can be anionic or amphoteric, are added to a polymer. Aminophosphinic groups can be added via condensation of a hypophosphite salt with a primary amine. Reaction of chloromethylphosphinic acid with amines can also yield useful anionic groups, as described by Guenther W. Wasow in “Phosphorous-Containing Anionic Surfactants,” Anionic Surfactants: Organic Chemistry, ed. Helmut W. Stache, New York: Marcel Dekker, 1996, pp. 589-590. The entire chapter by Wasow, comprising pages 551-629 of the aforementioned book, offers additional teachings relevant to creating polymers with useful phosphorous groups, and is herein incorporated by reference.

Other methods of preparing phosphorylated cellulose fibers are well known. These methods may be adapted to CMC, which may then serve as a binder agent. Exemplary methods are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,739,782, issued Jun. 19, 1973 to Bernardin. Cellulose and synthetic or natural polymers modified to have other “soft” anionic groups can be useful as the ion-sensitive polymer of the present invention.

Natural polymers that are already provided with useful anionic groups also can be useful in the present invention. Such polymers include agar and carageenan, which have multiple ester sulfate groups. These may be further modified, if necessary, to have additional anionic groups (e.g., sulfonation, phosphorylation, and the like).

Polymers having two or more differing soft anionic groups, such as both sulfonic and phosphonic groups, wherein the relative amounts of the differing anions can be adjusted to optimize the strength, the ionic sensitivity, and the dispersibility of the polymer, are also useful in the present invention. This also includes zwitterionic and amphoteric compounds. Polyampholytes in particular can be readily soluble above or below the isoelectric point, but insoluble at the isoelectric point, offering the potential for a triggering mechanism based on electrolyte concentration and pH. Examples of polyampholytes include, but are not limited to, copolymers of methacrylic acid and allylamine, copolymers of methacrylic acid and 2-vinylpyridine, polysiloxane ionomers with pendant amphoteric groups, and polymers formed directly from zwitterionic monomeric salts, such as the ion-pair of co-monomers (IPC) of Salamone et al., all as disclosed by Irja Piirma in Polymeric Surfactants, New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1992, at pp. 251-254, incorporated herein by reference.

Proteins capable of being salted out, optionally modified to have additional soft ionic groups, can be useful as the ion-sensitive polymer of the present invention.

Systems such as those comprising algin derivatives or natural sulfonated polymers in which calcium ions are present in high concentrations (much higher than the levels of about 250 ppm or less that may be encountered in hard water) insolubilize the binder, but allow even hard water to sufficiently dilute the calcium ion to render the binder dispersible are useful in the present invention. Thus, while it is desired that the ion-sensitive binders of the present invention be insoluble in solutions comprising a monovalent metal ion above a critical concentration, in some embodiments useful ion-sensitive binders are insoluble in solutions comprising a divalent and/or multivalent metal ion above a critical concentration, but become soluble when the divalent and/or multivalent metal ion concentration falls to about 200 ppm or more specifically to about 100 ppm, such that a fibrous substrate with the ion-sensitive polymer as a binder maintains good wet strength in a solution comprising an elevated concentration of the divalent and/or multivalent metal ion, yet becomes water dispersible in hard water or medium hard water. Thus, the triggering mechanism, which results in a pre-moistened wipe losing wet strength and becoming flushable even in hard water, can be due to the dilution of a monovalent or divalent and/or multivalent metal ion, and particularly an alkali metal ion, with monovalent ions, such as sodium being preferred. Natural polymers and gums, which may be adapted for use as ion-sensitive binders, are described by R. L. Whistler and J. N. BeMiller in Industrial Gums, New York: Academic Press, Inc., 1973, incorporated herein by reference. Natural polymers, which become firm or form a gel in the presence of calcium ions, are described below.

Algin (which may need to be in the form of sodium alginate and calcium alginate for good dispersibility, based on reported behavior in use as a binder for medicinal tablets—see p. 62 of Whistler and BeMiller), which is insoluble as alginic acid, calcium alginate, or in general as a salt of most polyvalent metals, but soluble as sodium alginate or as a salt with low-molecular-weight amines or quaternary ammonium compounds (See, Id. at p. 67) may be useful in the present invention. This material may be used, especially when zinc is an insolubilizing metal ion.

Other useful polymers include carageenan and iridophycan, both seaweed derivatives comprising ester sulfates.

Both natural polymers, including cellulose, and synthetic polymers can be provided with anionic groups, such as sulfonic groups, phosphonic groups, and carboxyl groups, capable of forming bridges to other molecules in the presence of ions of a suitable type and concentration. When the ionic concentration is substantially changed, such as by placing a cleansing article of the present invention in a toilet bowl, the article may become weak and disintegrate.

Ion-sensitive polymers include those which are dispersible in aqueous environment under prescribed conditions, yet are not dispersible in all aqueous environments. Examples include materials that are alkaline dispersible or saline insoluble. The Eastman AQ copolyesters (available from Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport, Tenn.), for example, can be dispersible in deionized water yet insoluble in saline solutions. They have been proposed for use in articles such as diapers intended to absorb body fluids. Further information on those polymers is provided in European Patent Application 773,315-B1, “Nonwoven Web Comprising Water Soluble Polyamides and Articles Constructed Therefrom,” issued May 10, 2000 by S. U. Ahmed, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Useful polyampholytes include polyacrylamide-based copolymers which are highly sensitive to sodium chloride concentration.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,836, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describes an alkali salt of a sulfated cellulose ester resin which gives good dry tensile strength to fabrics, which strength is retained in significant part when such fabrics are contacted with a salt solution typical of body fluids such as blood, menstrual fluid or urine and yet are readily dispersible in water. The resins have a degree of sulfate substitution of from 0.10 to 0.45. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,419,403, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, colloidal sulfate esters of cellulose are used for effective water-dispersible binders, wherein the binders have a much higher degree of sulfate substitution than the '836 patent. The binders of the '403 patent form gels in the presence of potassium ions. Other patents related to dispersible polymers and wet wipes include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,117,187; 5,417,977; 4,309,469; 5,317,063; 5,312,883; 5,384,189; 5,543,488; 5,571,876; 5,709,940; 5,718,790, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Co-binder Polymers

As stated above, the polymer formulations of the present invention may be formed from a single ion-sensitive polymer or a combination of two or more different polymers, wherein at least one polymer is an ion-sensitive polymer. The second polymer may be a co-binder polymer. A co-binder polymer is of a type and in an amount such that when combined with the ion-sensitive polymer, the co-binder polymer desirably is largely dispersed in the ion-sensitive polymer; i.e., the ion-sensitive polymer is desirably the continuous phase and the co-binder polymer is desirably the discontinuous phase. Desirably, the co-binder polymer can also meet several additional criteria. For example, the co-binder polymer can have a glass transition temperature; i.e., T_(g), that is lower than the glass transition temperature of the ion-sensitive polymer. Furthermore or alternatively, the co-binder polymer can be insoluble in water, or can reduce the shear viscosity of the ion-sensitive polymer. The co-binder can be present at a level relative to the solids mass of the triggerable polymer of about 45% or less, desirably about 35% or less, more desirably about 25% or less. The amount of co-binder present should be low enough, for co-binders with the potential to form water insoluble bonds or films; that the co-binder remains a discontinuous phase unable to create enough crosslinked, or insoluble bonds, to jeopardize the dispersibility of the treated substrate. In one embodiment, the ion-sensitive polymer formulation of the present invention can comprise about 75 weight percent acrylic acid terpolymer and about 25 weight percent poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) co-binder.

Desirably, but not necessarily, the co-binder polymer when combined with the ion-sensitive polymer will reduce the shear viscosity of the ion-sensitive polymer to such an extent that the combination of the ion-sensitive polymer and the co-binder polymer is sprayable. By sprayable it is meant that the polymer can be applied to a nonwoven fibrous substrate by spraying and the distribution of the polymer across the substrate and the penetration of the polymer into the substrate are such that the polymer formulation is generally capable of being uniformly applied to the substrate.

The co-binder polymer can be in the form of an emulsion latex. The surfactant system used in such a latex emulsion should be such that it does not substantially interfere with the dispersibility of the ion-sensitive polymer.

In some embodiments, the combination of the ion-sensitive polymer and the co-binder polymer reduces the stiffness of the article to which it is applied compared to the article with just the ion-sensitive polymer. It has been found that when the ion-sensitive polymer, such as a sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid terpolymer, is applied to a nonwoven substrate, such as an air laid layer of wood pulp, for the purpose of forming a wet wipe, the nonwoven sheet can have an undesirable amount of stiffness that is detrimental to the dry product feel or to the handling of the dry web during processing, when the brittleness of the dry substrate can harm runnability. By combining the ion-sensitive polymer and the co-binder polymer, the stiffness of such articles can be reduced. The co-binder polymer average molecular weight, varies depending on the ultimate use of the polymer. Desirably, the co-binder polymer has a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 500,000 to about 200,000,000. More desirably, the co-binder polymer has a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 500,000 to about 100,000,000.

Co-binder polymers that can meet many or all of the foregoing criteria include, but are not limited to, poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate), poly(styrene-butadiene), poly(styrene-acrylic), a vinyl acrylic terpolymer, neoprene, a polyester latex, an acrylic emulsion latex, poly vinyl chloride, ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer, a carboxylated vinyl acetate latex, and the like, all of which can be non-crosslinking (e.g., devoid of N-methylol acrylamide or other crosslinkers), crosslinking, or potentially crosslinking (i.e., prepared with a crosslinker present) but not substantially crosslinked in the final product.

A particularly preferred non-crosslinking poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) is Dur-O-Set® RB available from National Starch and Chemical Co., Bridgewater, N.J. A particularly preferred non-crosslinking poly(styrene-butadiene) is Rovene® 4817 available from Mallard Creek Polymers, Charlotte, N.C. A particularly preferred non-crosslinking poly(styrene-acrylic) is Rhoplex® NM 1715K available from Rohm and Haas, Philadelphia, Pa.

When a latex co-binder, or any potentially crosslinkable co-binder is used, the latex should be prevented from forming substantial water-insoluble bonds that bind the fibrous substrate together and interfere with the dispersibility of the article. Thus, the latex can be free of crosslinking agents, such as NMA, or free of catalyst for the crosslinker, or both. Alternatively, an inhibitor can be added that interferes with the crosslinker or with the catalyst such that crosslinking is impaired even when the article is heated to normal crosslinking temperatures. Such inhibitors can include, but are not limited to, free radical scavengers, methyl hydroquinone, t-butylcatechol, pH control agents such as potassium hydroxide, and the like. For some latex crosslinkers, such as N-methylol-acrylamide (NMA), elevated pH such as a pH of 8 or higher can interfere with crosslinking at normal crosslinking temperatures (e.g., about 130° C. or higher). Also alternatively, an article comprising a latex co-binder can be maintained at temperatures below the temperature range at which crosslinking takes place, such that the presence of a crosslinker does not lead to crosslinking, or such that the degree of crosslinking remains sufficiently low that the dispersibility of the article is not jeopardized. Also alternatively, the amount of crosslinkable latex can be kept below a threshold level such that even with crosslinking, the article remains dispersible. For example, a small quantity of crosslinkable latex dispersed as discrete particles in an ion-sensitive binder can permit dispersibility even when fully crosslinked. For the later embodiment, the amount of latex can be below about 20 weight percent, and, more desirably, below about 15 weight percent relative to the ion-sensitive binder.

Latex compounds, whether crosslinkable or not, need not be the co-binder. Scanning Election Microscope (SEM) micrography of successful ion-sensitive binder films with useful non-crosslinking latex emulsions dispersed therein has shown that the latex co-binder particles can remain as discrete entities in the ion-sensitive binder, possibly serving, in part, as filler material. It is believed that other materials could serve a similar role, including a dispersed mineral or particulate filler in the ion-sensitive binder, optionally comprising added surfactants/dispersants. For example, in one envisioned embodiment, freeflowing Ganzpearl PS-8F particles from Presperse, Inc. (Piscataway, N.J.), a styrene/divinylbenzene copolymer with about 0.4 micron particles, can be dispersed in an ion-sensitive binder at a level of about 2 to about 10 weight percent to modify the mechanical, tactile, and optical properties of the ion-sensitive binder. Other filler-like approaches could include microparticles, microspheres, or microbeads of metal, glass, carbon, mineral, quartz, and/or plastic, such as acrylic or phenolic, and hollow particles having inert gaseous atmospheres sealed within their interiors. Examples include EXPANCEL phenolic microspheres from Expancel of Sweden, which expand substantially when heated, or the acrylic microspheres known as PM 6545 available from PQ Corporation of Pennsylvania. Foaming agents, including CO₂ dissolved in the ion-sensitive binder, can also provide helpful discontinuities as gas bubbles in the matrix of an ion-sensitive binder, allowing the dispersed gas phase in the ion-sensitive binder to serve as the co-binder. In general, any compatible material that is not miscible with the binder, especially one with adhesive or binding properties of its own, can be used as the co-binder, if it is not provided in a state that imparts substantial covalent bonds joining fibers in a way that interferes with the water-dispersibility of the product. However, those materials that also provide additional benefits, such as reduced spray viscosity, can be especially preferred. Adhesive co-binders, such as latex that do not contain crosslinkers or contain reduced amounts of crosslinkers, have been found to be especially helpful in providing good results over a wide range of processing conditions, including drying at elevated temperatures.

As stated above, the T_(a) of the co-binder polymer can be lower than the T_(g) of the ion-sensitive polymer, which is believed to improve the flexibility of the treated substrate, especially in the dry state. Table 1 shows a comparison of the glass transition temperature of some of the preferred polymers useful in the present invention.

TABLE 1 Glass Transition Temperatures T_(g) For Select Polymers Polymer Glass Transition Temperature - T_(g) Sulfonate anion modified acrylic   55° C. acid terpolymer (dry) Sulfonate anion modified acrylic −22° C. acid terpolymer (wet) Rhoplex ® NW 1715K (dry)  −6° C. Rovene ® 4817 (dry)  −4° C. Elite 33 (dry)   10° C. Elite 22 (dry) −15° C.

In an alternate embodiment, the ion-sensitive polymer formulation of the present invention comprises about 55 to about 95 weight percent sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid terpolymer and about 5 to about 45 weight percent poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate). More desirably, the ion-sensitive polymer formulation of the present invention comprises about 75 weight percent sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid terpolymer and about 25 weight percent poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate).

As stated above, useful co-binder polymers can include a variety of commercial latex emulsions, including those selected from the Rovene® series (styrene butadiene latices available from Mallard Creek Polymers of Charlotte, N.C.), the Rhoplex® latices of Rohm and Haas Company, and the Elite® latices of National Starch. Polymer emulsions or dispersions generally comprise small polymer particles, such as crosslinkable ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, typically in spherical form, dispersed in water and stabilized with surface active ingredients such as low molecular weight emulsifiers or high molecular weight protective colloids. These liquid binders can be applied to airlaid webs or other substrates by methods known in the art of binder treatment for nonwoven webs, including spray or foam application, flooded nip impregnation, curtain coating, etc., followed by drying. In general, a wide variety of latex compounds and other resins or emulsions can be considered, including vinyl, but not limited to, acetate copolymer latices, such as 76 RES 7800 from Union Oil Chemicals Divisions and Resyn® 25-1103, Resyn® 25-1109, Resyn® 25-1119, and Resyn® 25-1189 from National Starch and Chemical Corporation, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer emulsions, such as Airflex® ethylene-vinylacetate from Air Products and Chemicals Inc., acrylic-vinyl acetate copolymer emulsions, such as Rhoplex® AR-74 from Rohm and Haas Company, Synthemul® 97-726 from Reichhold Chemicals Inc., Resyn® 25-1140, 25-1141, 25-1142, and Resyn-6820 from National Starch and Chemical Corporation, vinyl acrylic terpolymer latices, such as 76 RES 3103 from Union Oil Chemical Division, and Resyn® 251110 from National Starch and Chemical Corporation, acrylic emulsion latices, such as Rhoplex® B-15J, Rhoplex® P-376, Rhoplex® TR-407, Rhoplex® E-940, Rhoplex® TR934, Rhoplex® TR-520, Rhoplex® HA-24, and Rhoplex® NW1825 from Rohm and Haas Company, and Hycar® 2600 X 322, Hycar® 2671, Hycar® 2679, Hycar®26120, and Hycar® 2600 X347 from B. F. Goodrich Chemical Group, styrene-butadiene latices, such as 76 RES 4100 and 76 RES 8100 available from Union Oil Chemicals Division, Tylac® resin emulsion 68-412, Tylac® resin emulsion 68-067, 68-319, 68-413, 68-500, 68-501, available from Reichhold Chemical Inc., and DL6672A, DL6663A, DL6638A, DL6626A, DL6620A, DL615A, DL617A, DL620A, DL640A, DL650A available from Dow Chemical Company; and rubber latices, such as neoprene available from Serva Biochemicals; polyester latices, such as Eastman AQ 29D available from Eastman Chemical Company; vinyl chloride latices, such as Geon® 352 from B. F. Goodrich Chemical Group; ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer emulsions, such as Airflex® ethylene-vinyl chloride from Air Products and Chemicals; polyvinyl acetate homopolymer emulsions, such as Vinac® from Air Products and Chemicals; carboxylated vinyl acetate emulsion resins, such as Synthemul® synthetic resin emulsions 40-502, 40-503, and 97-664 from Reichhold Chemicals Inc. and Polyco® 2149, 2150, and 2171 from Rohm and Haas Company. Silicone emulsions and binders can also be considered.

The co-binder polymer can comprise surface active compounds that improve the wettability of the substrate after application of the binder mixture.

Wettability of a dry substrate that has been treated with a ion-sensitive polymer formulation can be a problem in some embodiments, because the hydrophobic portions of the ion-sensitive polymer formulation can become selectively oriented toward the air phase during drying, creating a hydrophobic surface that can be difficult to wet when the wetting composition is later applied unless surfactants are added to the wetting composition. Surfactants, or other surface active ingredients, in co-binder polymers can improve the wettability of the dried substrate that has been treated with an ion-sensitive polymer formulation. Surfactants in the co-binder polymer should not significantly interfere with the ion-sensitive polymer formulation. Thus, the binder should maintain good integrity and tactile properties in the pre-moistened wipes with the surfactant present.

In one embodiment, an effective co-binder polymer replaces a portion of the ion-sensitive polymer formulation and permits a given strength level to be achieved in a pre-moistened wipe with at least one of lower stiffness, better tactile properties (e.g., lubricity or smoothness), or reduced cost, relative to an otherwise identical pre-moistened wipe lacking the co-binder polymer and comprising the ion-sensitive polymer formulation at a level sufficient to achieve the given tensile strength.

Other Co-binder Polymers

The Dry Emulsion Powder (DEP) binders of Wacker Polymer Systems (Burghausen, Germany) such as the VINNEK® system of binders, can be applied in some embodiments of the present invention. These are redispersible, free flowing binder powders formed from liquid emulsions. Small polymer particles from a dispersion are provided in a protective matrix of water soluble protective colloids in the form of a powder particle. The surface of the powder particle is protected against caking by platelets of mineral crystals. As a result, polymer particles that once were in a liquid dispersion are now available in a free flowing, dry powder form that can be redispersed in water or turned into swollen, tacky particles by the addition of moisture. These particles can be applied in highloft nonwovens by depositing them with the fibers during the airlaid process, and then later adding 10% to 30% moisture to cause the particles to swell and adhere to the fibers. This can be called the “chewing gum effect,” meaning that the dry, non-tacky fibers in the web become sticky like chewing gum once moistened. Good adhesion to polar surfaces and other surfaces is obtained. These binders are available as free flowing particles formed from latex emulsions that have been dried and treated with agents to prevent cohesion in the dry state. They can be entrained in air and deposited with fibers during the airlaid process, or can be applied to a substrate by electrostatic means, by direct contact, by gravity feed devices, and other means. They can be applied apart from the binder, either before or after the binder has been dried. Contact with moisture, either as liquid or steam, rehydrates the latex particles and causes them to swell and to adhere to the fibers. Drying and heating to elevated temperatures (e.g., above 160° C.) causes the binder particles to become crosslinked and water resistant, but drying at lower temperatures (e.g., at 110° C. or less) can result in film formation and a degree of fiber binding without seriously impairing the water dispersibility of the pre-moistened wipes. Thus, it is believed that the commercial product can be used without reducing the amount of crosslinker by controlling the curing of the co-binder polymer, such as limiting the time and temperature of drying to provide a degree of bonding without significant crosslinking.

As pointed out by Dr. Klaus Kohlhammer in “New Airlaid Binders,” Nonwovens Report International, September 1999, issue 342, pp. 20-22, 28-31, dry emulsion binder powders have the advantage that they can easily be incorporated into a nonwoven or airlaid web during formation of the web, as opposed to applying the material to an existing substrate, permitting increased control over placement of the co-binder polymer. Thus, a nonwoven or airlaid web can be prepared already having dry emulsion binders therein, followed by moistening when the ion-sensitive polymer formulation solution is applied, whereupon the dry emulsion powder becomes tacky and contributes to binding of the substrate. Alternatively, the dry emulsion powder can be entrapped in the substrate by a filtration mechanism after the substrate has been treated with ion-sensitive binder and dried, whereupon the dry emulsion powder is rendered tacky upon application of the wetting composition.

In yet another embodiment, the dry emulsion powder maybe dispersed into the ion-sensitive polymer formulation solution either by application of the powder as the ion-sensitive polymer formulation solution is being sprayed onto the web or by adding and dispersing the dry emulsion powder particles into the ion-sensitive polymer formulation solution, after which the mixture is applied to a web by spraying, by foam application methods, or by other techniques known in the art.

Binder Formulations and Fabrics Containing the Same

The polymer formulations of the present invention may be used as binders. The binder formulations of the present invention may be applied to any fibrous substrate. The binders are particularly suitable for use in water-dispersible products. Suitable fibrous substrates include, but are not limited to, nonwoven and woven fabrics. In many embodiments, particularly personal care products, preferred substrates are nonwoven fabrics.

The binder composition may be applied to the fibrous substrate by any known process of application. Suitable processes for applying the binder material include, but are not limited to, printing, spraying, electrostatic spraying, coating, flooded nips, metered press rolls, impregnating or by any other technique. The amount of binder composition may be metered and distributed uniformly within the fibrous substrate or may be non-uniformly distributed within the fibrous substrate. The binder composition may be distributed throughout the entire fibrous substrate or it may be distributed within a multiplicity of small closely spaced areas. In most embodiments, uniform distribution of binder composition is desired.

For ease of application to the fibrous substrate, the binder may be dissolved in water, or in a non-aqueous solvent such as methanol, ethanol, acetone, or the like, with water being the preferred solvent. The amount of binder dissolved in the solvent may vary depending on the polymer used and the fabric application. Desirably, the binder solution contains up to about 25 percent by weight of binder composition solids, more desirably, the binder solution contains from about 5 to about 20 percent by weight of binder composition solids, more desirably still from about 10 to about 15 percent by weight of binder composition solids, and most desirably about 15 percent by weight binder composition solids. Plasticizers, perfumes, coloring agents, antifoams, bactericides, preservative, surface active agents, thickening agents, fillers, opacifiers, tackifiers, detackifiers, and the like can be incorporated into the solution of binder components, if so desired.

Once the binder composition is applied to the substrate, the substrate is dried by any conventional means. Once dry, the coherent fibrous substrate exhibits improved tensile strength when compared to the tensile strength of the untreated wet-laid or dry-laid substrates, and yet has the ability to rapidly “fall apart” or disintegrate when placed in soft or hard water having a relatively high divalent and/or multivalent ionic concentration and agitated. For example, the dry tensile strength of the fibrous substrate may be increased by at least about 25 percent as compared to the dry tensile strength of the untreated substrate not containing the binder. More particularly, the dry tensile strength of the fibrous substrate may be increased by at least about 100 percent as compared to the dry tensile strength of the untreated substrate not containing the binder. Even more particularly, the dry tensile strength of the fibrous substrate may typically be increased by at least 500 percent as compared to the dry tensile strength of the untreated substrate not containing the binder.

Desirably, however, less than about 20% of the fibers of the fibrous substrate have a length of about 6 to about 10 mm, with the remainder of the fibers having a shorter length. The inclusion of such a percentage of fibers having a length of about 6 to about 10 mm, more desirably about 7 to about 9 mm, and most desirably about 8 mm, provides unexpected dry and wet tensile strength characteristics. It has been determined that where less than about 20% of the fibers, desirably about 3 to about 17% and most desirably about 15% of the fibers have a length of about 6 to about 10 mm in length that unexpected strength and integrity characteristics of the fabric or sheet are achieved without significantly impairing or compromising the dispersibility of the product and without promotion of the probability of roping or tangling. Desirably about 3 to about 17%, and more desirably about 5 to about 15% of the fibers have a length of about 6 to about 10 mm. Even more desirably, about 10 to about 15% of the fibers have a length of about 7 to about 9 mm, and most desirably about 10 to about 15% of the fibers have a length of about 8 mm. Although longer fiber lengths will work, and are within the scope of the invention, it is desired that the upper end of the length of fibers used in the present invention be about 15 mm or less, so that tangling and flushing (e.g. getting caught on protusions in the pipes of the sewer) concerns are minimized. It is furthermore, desired to keep the fiber length at about 8 mm for maximum effect with a minimum amount of production throughput concerns.

As a result of the unexpected fabric strength achieved by the inclusion of the proportion of fibers having the lengths described above, it has been determined that the amount of binder may be significantly reduced, the wetting of the fibers is increased and the processing or line speeds are able to be increased. Processing or converting speeds maybe increased as it is believed that fibers provide sufficient strength for the processing speeds and the lower amounts of binder allow the fibers to wet (i.e. be treated) easier. Whereas, the higher amounts of binder typically inhibit sheet penetration and thus require longer exposure to the treatment in order to achieve the same end result.

Desirably one embodiment of the present invention may contains about 5 to about 25% by weight of binder, more desirably about 10 to about 20% by weight, and about 75 to about 95% by weight fiber, more desirably about 80 to about 90% by weight fiber. The reduction of binder or glue below about 25%, and desirably about 20%, by weight allows the fibers of the fabric to wet easier as the binder tends not to create a complete film across the fabric. Due in part to the strength characteristics and in part to the increase in fiber wettability, process or line speeds of the fabric manufacturing may be increased

A desirable feature of the present invention is that the improvement in tensile strength is effected where the amount of binder composition present, “add-on”, in the resultant fibrous substrate represents only a small portion by weight of the entire substrate. The amount of “add-on” can vary for a particular application; however, the optimum amount of “add-on” results in a fibrous substrate which has integrity while in use and also quickly disperses when agitated in water. For example, the binder components typically are from about 5 to about 65 percent, by weight, of the total weight of the substrate. More particularly, the binder components may be from about 5% to about 35% of the total weight of the substrate, but are desirably less than about 25% by weight, more desirably from about 5 to less than about 20% by weight, and even more desirably, the binder components may be from about 10 to about 15% by weight of the total weight of the substrate.

The nonwoven fabrics of the present invention have good in-use tensile strength, as well as, ion triggerability. Desirably, the nonwoven fabrics of the present invention are abrasion resistant and retain significant tensile strength in aqueous solutions containing greater than about 0.3 weight percent NaCl, or a mixture of monovalent ions, for those formulations using the acrylic acid terpolymer, and greater than about 0.3 weight percent NaCl, or a mixture of monovalent ions, for those formulations using the sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid terpolymer. Yet, the nonwoven fabrics are dispersible in very soft to moderately hard to hard water. Because of this latter property, nonwoven fabrics of the present invention are well suited for disposable products, such as sanitary napkins, diapers, adult incontinence products, and dry and premoistened wipes (wet wipes), which can be thrown in a flush toilet after use in any part of the world.

The fibers forming the fabrics above can be made from a variety of materials including natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and combinations thereof. The choice of fibers depends upon, for example, the intended end use of the finished fabric and fiber cost. For instance, suitable fibrous substrates may include, but are not limited to, natural fibers such as cotton, linen, jute, hemp, wool, wood pulp, etc. Similarly, regenerated cellulosic fibers, such as viscose rayon and cuprammonium rayon and lyocell rayon, modified cellulosic fibers, such as cellulose acetate, or synthetic fibers, such as those derived from polypropylenes, polyethylenes, polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, polyacrylics, etc., alone or in combination with one another, may likewise be used. Blends of one or more of the above fibers may also be used, if so desired. Among wood pulp fibers, any known papermaking fibers may be used, including softwood and hardwood fibers. Fibers, for example, may be chemically pulped or mechanically pulped, bleached or unbleached, virgin or recycled, high yield or low yield, and the like. Mercerized, chemically stiffened or crosslinked fibers may also be used.

In one embodiment of the present invention it is desirable for at least about 80% of the fiber fraction of the fibrous substrate to comprise a pulp or cellulosic fiber and less than about 20% of the fibers of the fibrous substrate to comprise synthetic fibers. Even more desirably, about 85 to about 95% of the fiber fraction is pulp or cellulose, and about 5 to about 15% is synthetic fibers.

Synthetic cellulose fiber types include rayon in all its varieties and other fibers derived from viscose or chemically modified cellulose, including regenerated cellulose and solvent-spun cellulose, such as lyocell. A desired synthetic cellulose fiber is TENCEL®, available from Acordis Cellulosic Fibers, located in the United Kingdom. Chemically treated natural cellulosic fibers, such as mercerized pulps, chemically stiffened or crosslinked fibers, or sulfonated fibers, may also be used. Recycled fibers, as well as virgin fibers, can be used. Cellulose produced by microbes and other cellulosic derivatives can be used. The fibers, particularly synthetic fibers, can also be crimped.

To the extent described herein, the fiber length is important in producing the fabrics of the present invention. In some embodiments, such as flushable products, fiber length is of more importance. The minimum length of the fibers depends on the method selected for forming the fibrous substrate. For example, where the fibrous substrate is formed by carding, the length of the fiber should usually be at least about 42 mm in order to insure uniformity. Where the fibrous substrate is formed by air-laid or wet-laid processes, the fiber length may desirably be about 0.2 to about 12 mm. Although fibers having a length of greater than about 50 mm are within the scope of the present invention, it has been determined that when a substantial quantity of fibers having a length greater than about 15 mm is placed in a flushable fabric, though the fibers will disperse and separate in water, their length tends to form “ropes” of fibers, which are undesirable when flushing in home toilets. Therefore, for these products, it is desired that the fiber length be about 15 mm or less so that the fibers will not have a tendency to “rope” when they are flushed through a toilet. Furthermore, fibers having a length of greater than about 15 mm in length also have an increased chance of getting caught on something in or extending into sewer system and/or pipes connected thereto, whether or not the fibers have experienced roping. Thus while fibers of various lengths are applicable in the present invention, desirably fibers are of a length less than about 15 mm so that the fibers disperse easily from one another when in contact with water.

As above, it has been determined that when a certain percent of fibers having a length of about 6 to about 10 mm are incorporated into the fabric or article that certain unexpected strength characteristics are exhibited. Specifically, where the fibrous substrate of the absorbent article comprises less than about 20% fiber fraction having a length of about 6 to about 10 mm, desirably about 3 to about 17%, and even more desirably about 5 to about 15%. Most desirably, about 15% of the fibers of the fibrous substrate will be about 8 mm in length and will be synthetic. The remaining fibers are desirably pulp and cellulose and are desirably shorter in length. As illustrated shown in tables below, and discussed in more detail in connection with the examples, a fibrous substrate comprising less than about 20% fiber fraction having a length of about 6 to about 10 mm in length, with the remaining fibers generally being shorter in length, an increase in Dry Tensile strength is experienced versus substrates having generally shorter fibers. An even greater unexpected strength is exhibited by fabrics or compositions of the present invention which include the above mentioned percentage of synthetic fibers which are about 8 mm in length. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed by the inventors that this unexpected strength characteristic results yet still allows for the product to be dispersible as desired because of the presence of a sufficient number of fibers of sufficient length so as far as to provide for the engagement and/or overlapping of these fibers (which may include interweaving or entangling) to an extent and in such a manner that the fibers are not readily able to be pulled apart, yet the fibers are not of such length as to be so engaged or overlapping as to not be readily dispersed as discussed in more detail herein.

The fabrics of the present invention may be formed from a single layer or multiple layers. In the case of multiple layers, the layers are generally positioned in a juxtaposed or surface-to-surface relationship and all or a portion of the layers may be bound to adjacent layers. Nonwoven webs of the present invention may also be formed from a plurality of separate nonwoven webs wherein the separate nonwoven webs may be formed from single or multiple layers. In those instances where the nonwoven web includes multiple layers, the entire thickness of the nonwoven web may be subjected to a binder application or each individual layer may be separately subjected to a binder application and then combined with other layers in a juxtaposed relationship to form the finished nonwoven web. It is believed that the present invention provides for the use of thicker monolayer and/or multilayer, (as thus potentially thicker) products yet still provide the desired dispersibility, whereas other products may be limited in the thickness or number of layers in order to achieve the desired dispersibility.

In one embodiment, the fabric of the present invention may be incorporated into cleansing and body fluid absorbent products, such as sanitary napkins, diapers, adult incontinence products, surgical dressings, tissues, wet wipes, and the like. These products may include an absorbent core, comprising one or more layers of an absorbent fibrous material. The core may also comprise one or more layers of a fluid-pervious element, such as fibrous tissue, gauze, plastic netting, etc. These are generally useful as wrapping materials to hold the components of the core together. Additionally, the core may comprise a fluid-impervious element or barrier means to preclude the passage of fluid through the core and on the outer surfaces of the product. Desirably, the barrier means is also water-dispersible. A film of a polymer having substantially the same composition as the aforesaid water-dispersible binder is particularly well-suited for this purpose. In accordance with the present invention, the polymer compositions are useful for forming each of the above-mentioned product components including but not limited to the layers of absorbent core, the fluid-pervious element, the wrapping materials, and the fluid-impervious element or barrier means.

The binder formulations of the present invention are also particularly useful for binding fibers of air-laid nonwoven fabrics. These air-laid materials are useful for body-side liners, fluid distribution materials, fluid intake materials, such as a surge material, absorbent wrap sheet and cover stock for various water-dispersible personal care products. Air-laid materials are particularly useful for use as a pre-moistened wipe (wet wipe). The basis weights for air-laid non-woven fabrics may range from about 20 to about 200 grams per square meter (“gsm”) with staple fibers having a denier of about 0.5-10 and a length of about 6-15 millimeters. Surge, or intake, materials need better resiliency and higher loft so staple fibers having about 6 denier or greater are used to make these products. A desirable final density for the surge, or intake, materials is between about 0.025 grams per cubic centimeter (“g/cc”) to about 0.10 g/cc. Fluid distribution materials may have a higher density, in the desired range of about 0.10 to about 0.20 g/cc using fibers of lower denier, most desirable fibers have a denier of less than about 1.5. Wipes generally can have a fiber density of about 0.025 g/cc to about 0.2 g/cc and a basis weight of about 20 gsm to about 150 gsm; desirably from about 30 to about 90 gsm, and most desirably from about 60 gsm to about 65 gsm.

The nonwoven fabrics of the present invention may also be incorporated into such body fluid absorbing products as sanitary napkins, diapers, surgical dressings, tissues and the like. In one embodiment, the binder is such that it will not dissolve when contacted by body fluids since the concentration of monovalent ions in the body fluids is above the level needed for dissolution; i.e., greater than about 0.3% by weight and/or greater than about 1% by weight. The nonwoven fabric retains its structure, softness and exhibits a toughness satisfactory for practical use. However, when brought into contact with water having a concentration of divalent and/or multivalent ions, such as Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions, of up to about 200 ppm, the binder, such as one comprising a sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid terpolymer, disperses. The nonwoven fabric structure is then easily broken and dispersed in the water. Desirably, the composition of the present invention is dispersible in water containing from about 15 ppm to about 50 ppm of one or more divalent and/or multivalent ions, more desirably being dispersible in water containing from about 15 ppm to about 100 ppm of one or more divalent and/or multivalent ions, more desirably being dispersible in water containing from about 15 ppm to about 150 ppm of one or more divalent and/or multivalent ions, and most desirably being dispersible in water containing from about 15 ppm to about 200 ppm of one or more divalent and/or multivalent ions. While most of the water the material of the present invention is likely to encounter has a concentration of divalent and/or multivalent ions between about 15 ppm and about 200 ppm, it is also desirable that when brought into contact with water having a concentration of divalent and/or multivalent ions less than about 15 ppm, and more specifically less than about 10 ppm, the binder of the of the present invention comprising the acrylic acid terpolymer disperses as well. Similarly, the nonwoven fabric structure is then easily broken and dispersed in the water.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention it is desirable for the water dispersible fibrous fabric to be capable of dispersion in water after no more than about 60 minutes, more desirably after no more than about 20 minutes, and more desirably to disperse in water after no more than about 10 minutes. Furthermore, it also desirable that wherein after up to about 60 minutes, more desirably up to about 20 minutes, of exposure to water that the fibrous material of the present invention break up into multiple pieces each having an average size of less than about 50% relative to its pre-dispersed size, more desirably into multiple pieces each having an average size of less than about 40% relative to its pre-dispersed size, and even more desirably into multiple pieces each having an average size of less than about 30% relative to its pre-dispersed size.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the in-use tensile strength of a nonwoven fabric is enhanced by forming the nonwoven fabric with a binder material comprising an ion-sensitive polymer formulation of the present invention and subsequently applying one or more monovalent and/or divalent and/or multivalent salts to the nonwoven fabric. The salt may be applied to the nonwoven fabric by any method known to those of ordinary skill in the art including, but not limited to, applying a solid powder onto the fabric and spraying a salt solution onto the fabric. The amount of salt may vary depending on a particular application. However, the amount of salt applied to the fabric is typically from about 0.1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent salt solids based on the total weight of the fabric. The salt-containing fabrics of the present invention may be used in a variety of fabric applications including, but not limited to, feminine pads, surgical dressings, and diapers.

Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the binder formulations and fibrous substrates of the present invention may be advantageously employed in the preparation of a wide variety of products, including but not limited to, absorbent personal care products designed to be contacted with body fluids. Such products may only comprise a single layer of the fibrous substrate, or may comprise a combination of elements, as described above. Although the binder formulations and fibrous substrates of the present invention are particularly suited for personal care products, the binder formulations and fibrous substrates may be advantageously employed in a wide variety of consumer products. Exemplary personal care products include, but are not limited to, a wipe, diaper, training pant, swimwear, absorbent underpant, adult incontinence product, feminine hygiene product, absorbent pad, wound dressing and bandage.

The combination of the acrylic acid terpolymer or the sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid terpolymer and the non-crosslinking poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) of the present invention produces improved results over the use of the terpolymer alone. For example, when the ion-sensitive polymer formulation of the present invention is used for a binder composition for wet wipes, the wet wipes have improved wettability on first insult without losing dispersibility which allows the wipe basesheet to wet out easily with the wet wipe solution at commercial speeds. The ion-sensitive polymer formulation of the present invention also can reduce the stiffness of the dry basesheet, improve the runnability of the dry and otherwise brittle sheet during further conversion of the product, reduce the stickiness of the wipes and/or improve the sprayability of the ion-sensitive binder, thereby improving binder distribution and penetration in the basesheet.

Unlike other binder systems known in the art, the ion-sensitive polymer formulations of the present invention can be activated as binders without the need for elevated temperature. While drying or water removal is useful in achieving a good distribution of the binder in a fibrous web, elevated temperature, per se, is not essential because the binder does not require crosslinking or other chemical reactions with high activation energy to serve as a binder. Rather, the interaction with a soluble activating compound, typically a salt, is sufficient to cause the binder to become active (insoluble) or “salted out.” Thus, a drying step can be avoided, if desired, or replaced with low-temperature water removal operations such as room-temperature drying or freeze drying. Elevated temperature is generally helpful for drying, but the drying can be done at temperatures below what is normally needed to drive crosslinking reactions. Thus, the peak temperature to which the substrate is exposed or to which the substrate is brought can be below any of the following: about 220° C., about 200° C., about 180° C., about 160° C., about 140° C., about 120° C., about 110° C., about 105° C., about 100° C., about 90° C., about 75° C., and about 60° C. Of course, higher temperatures can be used, but are not necessary in most embodiments. While co-binder polymer systems, such as commercial latex emulsions, may also comprise crosslinkers suited for reaction at temperatures of about 160° C. or higher, maintaining a lower peak temperature can be beneficial in preventing development of excessive strength in the co-binder polymer that might otherwise hinder the water dispersibility of the pre-moistened wipe.

Wet Wipe Wetting Composition and Wet Wipes Containing the Same

Another embodiment of the present invention is the production of pre-moistened wipes, or wet wipes, from the above-described ion-sensitive binder compositions and fibrous materials. Exemplary embodiments of wet wipes of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. For wipes, the fibrous material may be in the form of a woven or nonwoven fabric; however, nonwoven fabrics are more desirable. The nonwoven fabric is, desirably, formed from relatively short fibers, such as wood pulp fibers. The minimum length of the fibers depends on the method selected for forming the nonwoven fabric. Where the nonwoven fabric is formed by a wet or dry method, the fiber length is desirably from about 0.1 millimeters to about 15 millimeters. Desirably, the nonwoven fabric of the present invention has a relatively low wet cohesive strength when it is not bonded together by an adhesive or binder material. When such nonwoven fabrics are bonded together by a binder composition, which loses its bonding strength in tap water and in sewer water, the fabric will break up readily by the agitation provided by flushing and moving through the sewer pipes.

The finished wipes may be individually packaged, desirably in a folded condition, in a moisture proof envelope or packaged in containers holding any desired number of sheets in a watertight package with a wetting composition applied to the wipe. The finished wipes may also be packaged as a roll of separable sheets (as illustrated in FIG. 3) in a moisture-proof container holding any desired number of sheets on the roll with a wetting composition applied to the wipes. The roll can be coreless and either hollow or solid. Coreless rolls, including rolls with a hollow center or without a solid center, can be produced with known coreless roll winders, including those of SRP Industry, Inc. (San Jose, Calif.); Shimizu Manufacturing (Japan), and the devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,667,890, issued May 26, 1987 to Gietman. Solid-wound coreless rolls can offer more product for a given volume and can be adapted for a wide variety of dispensers.

Relative to the weight of the dry fabric, the wipe may desirably contain from about 10 percent to about 400 percent of the wetting composition, more desirably from about 100 percent to about 300 percent of the wetting composition, and even more desirably from about 180 percent to about 240 percent of the wetting composition. The wipe maintains its desired characteristics over the time periods involved in warehousing, transportation, retail display and storage by the consumer. Accordingly, shelf life may range from two months to two years.

Various forms of impermeable envelopes and storage means for containing wet-packaged materials such as wipes and towelettes and the like are well known in the art. Any of these may be employed in packaging the pre-moistened wipes of the present invention.

Desirably, the pre-moistened wipes of the present invention are wetted with an aqueous wetting composition, which has one or more of the following properties:

(1) is compatible with the above-described ion-sensitive binder compositions of the present invention;

(2) enables the pre-moistened wipe to maintain its wet strength during converting, storage and usage (including dispensing), as well as, dispersibility in a toilet bowl;

(3) does not cause skin irritation;

(4) reduces tackiness of the wipe, and provides unique tactile properties, such as skin glide and a “lotion-like feel”; and

(5) acts as a vehicle to deliver “moist cleansing” and other skin health benefits.

The wetting composition should not act as a solvent for the binder and generally does not contain solvents other than water, and desirably does not contain organic solvents, though a small quantity (generally less than about 1%) of a fragrance solubilizer such as polysorbate 20 may be present, depending on the fragrance and the salt concentration of the wetting composition. Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 10 weight percent of organic solvents, such as propylene glycol or other glycols, polyhydroxy alcohols, and the like, based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 4 weight percent of organic solvents. Even more desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 1 weight percent of organic solvents. The wetting composition can be substantially free of organic solvents.

One aspect of the present invention is a wetting composition, which contains an activating compound that maintains the strength of a water-dispersible binder until the activating compound is diluted with water, whereupon the strength of the water-dispersible binder begins to decay. The water-dispersible binder may be any of the ion-sensitive binder compositions of the present invention or any other suitable ion-sensitive binder composition. The activating compound in the wetting composition can be a salt, such as sodium chloride, or any other compound, which provides in-use and storage strength to the water-dispersible binder composition, and can be diluted in water to permit dispersion of the substrate as the binder polymer triggers to a weaker state. Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 10 weight percent of an activating compound based on the total weight of the wetting composition. Desirably, the wetting composition may contain from about 0.3 weight percent to about 5 weight percent of an activating compound. Even more desirably, the wetting composition may contain from about 2 weight percent to about 4 weight percent of an activating compound.

The wetting composition of the present invention may further comprise a variety of additives compatible with the activating compound and the water-dispersible binder, such that the strength and dispersibility functions of the wipe are not jeopardized. Suitable additives in the wetting composition include, but are not limited to, the following additives: skin-care additives; odor control agents; detackifying agents to reduce the tackiness of the binder; particulates; antimicrobial agents; preservatives; wetting agents and cleaning agents such as detergents, surfactants, and some silicones; emollients; surface feel modifiers for improved tactile sensation (e.g., lubricity) on the skin; fragrance; fragrance solubilizers; opacifiers; fluorescent whitening agents; UV absorbers; pharmaceuticals; and pH control agents, such as malic acid or potassium hydroxide.

Skin-Care Additives

Fecal enzymes, particularly trypsin, chymotrypsin and elastase, are proteolytic enzymes produced in the gastrointestinal tract to digest food. In infants, for example, the feces tend to be watery and contain, among other materials, bacteria, and some amounts of undegraded digestive enzymes. These enzymes, if they remain in contact with the skin for any appreciable period of time, have been found to cause an irritation that is uncomfortable in itself and can predispose the skin to infection by microorganisms. As a countermeasure, skin-care additives include, but are not limited to, the enzyme inhibitors and sequestrants set forth hereafter. The wetting composition may contain less than about 5 weight percent of skin-care additives based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the wetting composition may contain from about 0.01 weight percent to about 2 weight percent of skin-care additives. Even more desirably, the wetting composition may contain from about 0.01 weight percent to about 0.05 weight percent of skin-care additives.

A variety of skin-care additives may be added to the wetting composition and the pre-moistened wipes of the present invention or included therein. In one embodiment of the present invention, skin-care additives in the form of particles are added to serve as fecal enzyme inhibitors, offering potential benefits in the reduction of diaper rash and skin damage caused by fecal enzymes. U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,749, issued Apr. 18, 2000 to Schulz et al., the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference, discloses organophilic clays in a woven or nonwoven web, said to be useful for inhibiting fecal enzymes. Such materials may be used in the present invention, including reaction products of a long chain organic quaternary ammonium compound with one or more of the following clays: montmorillonite, bentonite, beidellite, hectorite, saponite, and stevensite.

Other known enzyme inhibitors and sequestrants may be used as skin-care additives in the wetting composition of the present invention, including those that inhibit trypsin and other digestive or fecal enzymes, and inhibitors for urease. For example, enzyme inhibitors and anti-microbial agents may be used to prevent the formation of odors in body fluids. For example, urease inhibitors, which are also said to play a role in odor absorption, are disclosed by T. Trinh in World Patent Application No. 98/26808, “Absorbent Articles with Odor Control System,” published Jun. 25, 1998, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference. Such inhibitors may be incorporated into the wetting composition and the pre-moistened wipes of the present invention and include transition metal ions and their soluble salts, such as silver, copper, zinc, ferric, and aluminum salts. The anion may also provide urease inhibition, such as borate, phytate, etc. Compounds of potential value include, but are not limited to, silver chlorate, silver nitrate, mercury acetate, mercury chloride, mercury nitrate, copper metaborate, copper bromate, copper bromide, copper chloride, copper dichromate, copper nitrate, copper salicylate, copper sulfate, zinc acetate, zinc borate, zinc phytate, zinc bromate, zinc bromide, zinc chlorate, zinc chloride, zinc sulfate, cadmium acetate, cadmium borate, cadmium bromide, cadmium chlorate, cadmium chloride, cadmium formate, cadmium iodate, cadmium iodide, cadmium permanganate, cadmium nitrate, cadmium sulfate, and gold chloride.

Other salts that have been disclosed as having urease inhibition properties include ferric and aluminum salts, especially the nitrates, and bismuth salts. Other urease inhibitors are disclosed by Trinh, including hydroxamic acid and its derivatives; thiourea; hydroxylamine; salts of phytic acid; extracts of plants of various species, including various tannins, e.g. carob tannin, and their derivatives such as chlorogenic acid derivatives; naturally occurring acids such as ascorbic acid, citric acid, and their salts; phenyl phosphoro diamidate/diamino phosphoric acid phenyl ester; metal aryl phosphoramidate complexes, including substituted phosphorodiamidate compounds; phosphoramidates without substitution on the nitrogen; boric acid and/or its salts, including especially, borax, and/or organic boron acid compounds; the compounds disclosed in European Patent Application 408,199 (published Jun. 15, 1990); sodium, copper, manganese, and/or zinc dithiocarbamate; quinones; phenols; thiurams; substituted rhodanine acetic acids; alkylated benzoquinones; formamidine disulphide; 1:3-diketones maleic anhydride; succinamide; phthalic anhydride; pehenic acid; N,N-dihalo-2-imidazolidinones; N-halo2-oxazolidinones; thio- and/or acyl-phosphoryltnamide and/or substituted derivatives thereof, thiopyridine-N-oxides, thiopyridines, and thiopyrimidines; oxidized sulfur derivatives of diarninophosphinyl compounds; cyclotriphosphazatriene derivatives; ortho-diaminophosphinyl derivatives of oximes; bromo-nitro compounds; S-aryl and/or alkyl diamidophosphorothiolates; diaminophosphinyl derivatives; mono- and/or polyphosphorodiamide; 5-substituted-benzoxathiol-2-ones; N(diaminophosphinyl)arylcarboxamides; alkoxy-1,2-benzothaizin compounds; etc.

Many other skin-care additives may be incorporated into the wetting composition and pre-moistened wipes of the present invention, including, but not limited to, sun blocking agents and UV absorbers, acne treatments, pharmaceuticals, baking soda (including encapsulated forms thereof), vitamins and their derivatives such as Vitamins A or E, botanicals such as witch hazel extract and aloe vera, allantoin, emollients, disinfectants, hydroxy acids for wrinkle control or anti-aging effects, sunscreens, tanning promoters, skin lighteners, deodorants and anti-perspirants, ceramides for skin benefits and other uses, astringents, moisturizers, nail polish removers, insect repellants, antioxidants, antiseptics, anti-inflammatory agents and the like, provided that the additives are compatible with an ion-sensitive binder composition associated therewith, and especially the ion-sensitive binder compositions of the present invention (i.e., they do not cause a substantial loss of strength in the wet state of the pre-moistened wipes, prior to dilution in water, while permitting dispersibility in water).

Useful materials for skin care and other benefits are listed in McCutcheon's 1999, Vol. 2: Functional Materials, MC Publishing Company, Glen Rock, N.J. Many useful botanicals for skin care are provided by Active Organics, Lewisville, Tex.

Odor Control Additives

Suitable odor control additives for use in the wetting composition and pre-moistened wipes of the present invention include, but are not limited to, zinc salts; talc powder; encapsulated perfumes (including microcapsules, macrocapsules, and perfume encapsulated in liposomes, vessicles, or microemulsions); chelants, such as ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid; zeolites; activated silica, activated carbon granules or fibers; activated silica particulates; polycarboxylic acids, such as citric acid; cyclodextrins and cyclodextrin derivatives; chitosan or chitin and derivatives thereof; oxidizing agents; antimicrobial agents, including silver-loaded zeolites (e.g., those of BF Technologies, located in Beverly, Mass., sold under the trademark HEALTHSHIELD™); triclosan; kieselguhr; and mixtures thereof. In addition to controlling odor from the body or body wastes, odor control strategies can also be employed to mask or control any odor of the treated substrate. Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 5 weight percent of odor control additives based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 weight percent to about 2 weight percent of odor control additives. Even more desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.03 weight percent to about 1 weight percent of odor control additives.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the wetting composition and/or pre-moistened wipes comprise derivatized cyclodextrins, such as hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin in solution, which remain on the skin after wiping and provide an odor-absorbing layer. In other embodiments, the odor source maybe removed or neutralized by application of an odor-control additive, exemplified by the action of a chelant that binds metal groups necessary for the function of many proteases and other enzymes that commonly produce an odor. Chelating the metal group interferes with the enzyme's action and decreases the risk of malodor in the product.

Principles for the application of chitosan or chitin derivatives to nonwoven webs and cellulosic fibers are described by S. Lee et al. in “Antimicrobial and Blood Repellent Finishes for Cotton and Nonwoven Fabrics Based on Chitosan and Fluoropolymers,” Textile Research Journal, 69(2); 104-112, February 1999.

Detackifying Agents

While elevated salt concentrations may reduce the tack of the ion-sensitive binder, other means of tack reduction are often desirable. Thus, detackifying agents may be used in the wetting composition to reduce the tackiness, if any, of the ion-sensitive binder. Suitable detackifiers include any substance known in the art to reduce tack between two adjacent fibrous sheets treated with an adhesive-like polymer or any substance capable of reducing the tacky feel of an adhesive-like polymer on the skin. Detackifiers may be applied as solid particles in dry form, as a suspension or as a slurry of particles. Deposition may be by spray, coating, electrostatic deposition, impingement, filtration (i.e., a pressure differential drives a particle-laden gas phase through the substrate, depositing particles by a filtration mechanism), and the like, and may be applied uniformly on one or more surfaces of the substrate or may be applied in a pattern (e.g., repeating or random patterns) over a portion of the surface or surfaces of the substrate. The detackifier may be present throughout the thickness of the substrate, but may be concentrated at one or both surfaces, and may be substantially only present on one or both surfaces of the substrate.

Specific detackifiers include, but are not limited to, powders, such as talc powder, calcium carbonate, mica; starches, such as corn starch; lycopodium powder; mineral fillers, such as titanium dioxide; silica powder; alumina; metal oxides in general; baking powder; kieselguhr; and the like. Polymers and other additives having low surface energy may also be used, including a wide variety of fluorinated polymers, silicone additives, polyolefins and thermoplastics, debonding agents known in the paper industry (including compounds having alkyl side chains such as those having 16 or more carbons), waxes and the like. Compounds used as release agents for molds and candle making may also be considered, as well as, dry lubricants and fluorinated release agents.

In one embodiment, the detackifier comprises polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), such as PTFE telomer (KRYTOX® DF) compound, used in the PTFE release agent dry lubricant MS-122DF, marketed by Miller-Stephenson (Danbury, Conn.) as a spray product. For example, PTFE particles may be applied by spray to one side of the substrate prior to winding of the pre-moistened wipes. In one embodiment, a detackifying agent maybe applied to only one surface of the substrate prior to winding into a roll.

The wetting composition desirably contains less than about 25 weight percent of detackifying agents based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of detackifying agents, more desirably about 5% or less. Even more desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.05 weight percent to about 2 weight percent of detackifying agents.

In addition to acting as a detackifying agent, starch compounds may also improve the strength properties of the pre-moistened wipes. For example, it has been found that ungelled starch particles, such as hydrophilic tapioca starch, when present at a level of about 1% or higher by weight relative to the weight of the wetting composition, can permit the pre-moistened wipe to maintain the same strength at a lower salt concentration than is possible without the presence of starch. Thus, for example, a given strength can be achieved with 2% salt in the wetting composition in the presence of salt compared to a level of 4% salt being needed without starch. Starch may be applied by adding the starch to a suspension of laponite to improve the dispersion of the starch within the wetting composition.

Microparticulates

The wetting composition of the present invention may be further modified by the addition of solid particulates or microparticulates. Suitable particulates include, but are not limited to, mica, silica, alumina, calcium carbonate, kaolin, talc, and zeolites. The particulates may be treated with stearic acid or other additives to enhance the attraction or bridging of the particulates to the binder system, if desired. Also, two-component microparticulate systems, commonly used as retention aids in the papermaking industry, may also be used. Such two-component microparticulate systems generally comprise a colloidal particle phase, such as silica particles, and a water-soluble cationic polymer for bridging the particles to the fibers of the web to be formed. The presence of particulates in the wetting composition can serve one or more useful functions, such as (1) increasing the opacity of the pre-moistened wipes; (2) modifying the rheology or reducing the tackiness of the pre-moistened wipe; (3) improving the tactile properties of the wipe; or (4) delivering desired agents to the skin via a particulate carrier, such as a porous carrier or a microcapsule. Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 25 weight percent of particulate based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the wetting composition may contain from about 0.05 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of microparticulate. Even more desirably, the wetting composition may contain from about 0.1 weight percent to about 5 weight percent of microparticulate.

Microcapsules and Other Delivery Vehicles

Microcapsules and other delivery vehicles may also be used in the wetting composition of the present invention to provide skin-care agents; medications; comfort promoting agents, such as eucalyptus; perfumes; skin care agents; odor control additives; vitamins; powders; and other additives to the skin of the user. Specifically, the wetting composition may contain up to about 25 weight percent of microcapsules or other delivery vehicles based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the wetting composition may contain from about 0.05 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of microcapsules or other delivery vehicles. Even more desirably, the wetting composition may contain from about 0.2 weight percent to about 5 weight percent of microcapsules or other delivery vehicles.

Microcapsules and other delivery vehicles are well known in the art. For example, POLY-PORE® E200 (Chemdal Corp., Arlington Heights, Ill.), is a delivery agent comprising soft, hollow spheres that can contain an additive at over 10 times the weight of the delivery vehicle. Known additives reported to have been used with POLY-PORE® E200 include, but are not limited to, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, retinol, retinyl palmitate, octyl methoxycinnamate, tocopherol, silicone compounds (DC 435), and mineral oil. Another useful delivery vehicle is a sponge-like material marketed as POLY-PORE® L200, which is reported to have been used with silicone (DC 435) and mineral oil. Other known delivery systems include cyclodextrins and their derivatives, liposomes, polymeric sponges, and spray-dried starch.

Additives present in microcapsules are isolated from the environment and the other agents in the wetting composition until the wipe is applied to the skin, whereupon the microcapsules break and deliver their load to the skin or other surfaces.

Preservatives and Anti-Microbial Agents

The wetting composition of the present invention may also contain preservatives and/or anti-microbial agents. Several preservatives and/or anti-microbial agents, such as Mackstat H-66 (available from McIntyre Group, Chicago, Ill., have been found to give excellent results in preventing bacteria and mold growth. Other suitable preservatives and anti-microbial agents include, but are not limited to DMDM hydantoin (e.g., Glydant Plus™, Lonza, Inc., Fair Lawn, N.J.), iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, Kathon (Rohm and Hass, Philadelphia, Pa.), methylparaben, propylparaben, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, benzoic acid, and the like. Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 2 weight percent on an active basis of preservatives and/or anti-microbial agents based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 weight percent to about 1 weight percent of preservatives and/or anti-microbial agents. Even more desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 weight percent to about 0.5 weight percent of preservatives and/or anti-microbial agents.

Wetting Agents and Cleaning Agents

A variety of wetting agents and/or cleaning agents may be used in the wetting composition of the present invention. Suitable wetting agents and/or cleaning agents include, but are not limited to, detergents and nonionic, amphoteric, and anionic surfactants, especially amino acid-based surfactants. Amino acid-based surfactant systems, such as those derived from amino acids L-glutamic acid and other natural fatty acids, offer pH compatibility to human skin and good cleansing power, while being relatively safe and providing improved tactile and moisturization properties compared to other anionic surfactants. One function of the surfactant is to improve wetting of the dry substrate with the wetting composition. Another function of the surfactant can be to disperse bathroom soils when the pre-moistened wipe contacts a soiled area and to enhance their absorption into the substrate. The surfactant can further assist in make-up removal, general personal cleansing, hard surface cleansing, odor control, and the like.

One commercial example of an amino-acid based surfactant is acylglutamate, marketed under the Amisoft name by Ajinomoto Corp., Tokyo, Japan. Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 3 weight percent of wetting agents and/or cleaning agents based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 weight percent to about 2 weight percent of wetting agents and/or cleaning agents. Even more desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.1 weight percent to about 0.5 weight percent of wetting agents and/or cleaning agents.

Although amino-acid based surfactants are particularly useful in the wetting compositions of the present invention, a wide variety of surfactants may be used in the present invention. Suitable non-ionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, the condensation products of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic (oleophilic) polyoxyalkylene base formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol. The hydrophobic portion of these compounds desirably has a molecular weight sufficiently high so as to render it water-insoluble. The addition of polyoxyethylene moieties to this hydrophobic portion increases the water-solubility of the molecule as a whole, and the liquid character of the product is retained up to the point where the polyoxyethylene content is about 50% of the total weight of the condensation product. Examples of compounds of this type include commercially-available Pluronic surfactants (BASF Wyandotte Corp.), especially those in which the polyoxypropylene ether has a molecular weight of about 1500-3000 and the polyoxyethylene content is about 35-55% of the molecule by weight, i.e. Pluronic L-62.

Other useful nonionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, the condensation products of C₈-C₂₂ alkyl alcohols with 2-50 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Examples of compounds of this type include the condensation products of C₁₁-C₁₅ secondary alkyl alcohols with 3-50 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, which are commercially-available as the Poly-Tergent SLF series from Olin Chemicals or the TERGITOL® series from Union Carbide, i.e. TERGITOL® 25-L-7, which is formed by condensing about 7 moles of ethylene oxide with a C₁₂-C₁₅ alkanol.

Other nonionic surfactants, which may be employed in the wetting composition of the present invention, include the ethylene oxide esters of C₆-C₁₂ alkyl phenols such as (nonylphenoxy)polyoxyethylene ether. Particularly useful are the esters prepared by condensing about 8-12 moles of ethylene oxide with nonylphenol, i.e. the IGEPAL® CO series (GAF Corp.). Further non-ionic surface active agents include, but are not limited to, alkyl polyglycosides (APG), derived as a condensation product of dextrose (D-glucose) and a straight or branched chain alcohol. The glycoside portion of the surfactant provides a hydrophile having high hydroxyl density, which enhances water solubility. Additionally, the inherent stability of the acetal linkage of the glycoside provides chemical stability in alkaline systems. Furthermore, unlike some non-ionic surface active agents, alkyl polyglycosides have no cloud point, allowing one to formulate without a hydrotrope, and these are very mild, as well as readily biodegradable non-ionic surfactants. This class of surfactants is available from Horizon Chemical under the trade names of APG-300, APG-350, APG-500, and APG-500.

Silicones are another class of wetting agents available in pure form, or as microemulsions, macroemulsions, and the like. One exemplary non-ionic surfactant group is the silicone-glycol copolymers. These surfactants are prepared by adding poly(lower)alkylenoxy chains to the free hydroxyl groups of dimethylpolysiloxanols and are available from the Dow Corning Corp as Dow Corning 190 and 193 surfactants (CTFA name: dimethicone copolyol). These surfactants function, with or without any volatile silicones used as solvents, to control foaming produced by the other surfactants, and also impart a shine to metallic, ceramic, and glass surfaces.

Anionic surfactants may also be used in the wetting compositions of the present invention. Anionic surfactants useful due to their high detergency include anionic detergent salts having alkyl substituents of 8 to 22 carbon atoms such as the water-soluble higher fatty acid alkali metal soaps, e.g., sodium myristate and sodium palmitate. A preferred class of anionic surfactants encompasses the water-soluble sulfated and sulfonated anionic alkali metal and alkaline earth metal detergent salts containing a hydrophobic higher alkyl moiety (typically containing from about 8 to 22 carbon atoms) such as salts of higher alkyl mono or polynuclear aryl sulfonates having from about 1 to about 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, with examples available as the Bio-Soft series, i.e. Bio-Soft D-40 (Stepan Chemical Co.).

Other useful classes of anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, the alkali metal salts of alkyl naphthalene sulfonic acids (methyl naphthalene sodium sulfonate, Petro AA, Petrochemical Corporation); sulfated higher fatty acid monoglycerides such as the sodium salt of the sulfated monoglyceride of cocoa oil fatty acids and the potassium salt of the sulfated monoglyceride of tallow fatty acids; alkali metal salts of sulfated fatty alcohols containing from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium stearyl sulfate); sodium C₁₄-C₁₆-alphaolefin sulfonates such as the Bio-Terge series (Stepan Chemical Co.); alkali metal salts of sulfated ethyleneoxy fatty alcohols (the sodium or ammonium sulfates of the condensation products of about 3 moles of ethylene oxide with a C₁₂-C₁₅ n-alkanol, i.e., the Neodol ethoxysulfates, Shell Chemical Co.); alkali metal salts of higher fatty esters of low molecular weight alkylol sulfonic acids, e.g. fatty acid esters of the sodium salt of isothionic acid, the fatty ethanolamide sulfates; the fatty acid amides of amino alkyl sulfonic acids, e.g. lauric acid amide of taurine; as well as numerous other anionic organic surface active agents such as sodium xylene sulfonate, sodium naphthalene sulfonate, sodium toulene sulfonate and mixtures thereof.

A further useful class of anionic surfactants includes the 8-(4-n-alkyl-2-cyclohexenyl)-octanoic acids, wherein the cyclohexenyl ring is substituted with an additional carboxylic acid group. These compounds or their potassium salts, are commercially-available from Westvaco Corporation as Diacid 1550 or H-240. In general, these anionic surface active agents can be employed in the form of their alkali metal salts, ammonium or alkaline earth metal salts.

Macroemulsions and Microemulsion of Silicone Particles

The wetting composition may further comprise an aqueous microemulsion of silicone particles. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,037,407, “Process for the Preparation of Aqueous Emulsions of Silicone Oils and/or Gums and/or Resins” issued Mar. 14, 2000, discloses organopolysiloxanes in an aqueous microemulsion. Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 5 weight percent of a microemulsion of silicone particles based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.02 weight percent to about 3 weight percent of a microemulsion of silicone particles. Even more desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.02 weight percent to about 0.5 weight percent of a microemulsion of silicone particles.

Silicone emulsions in general may be applied to the pre-moistened wipe by any known coating method. For example, the pre-moistened wipe may be moistened with an aqueous composition comprising a water-dispersible or water-miscible, silicone-based component that is compatible with the activating compound in the wetting composition. Further, the wipe can comprise a nonwoven web of fibers having a water-dispersible binder, wherein the web is moistened with a lotion comprising a silicone-based sulfosuccinate. The silicone-based sulfosuccinate provides gentle and effective cleansing without a high level of surfactant. Additionally, the silicone-based sulfosuccinate provides a solubilization function, which prevents precipitation of oil-soluble components, such as fragrance components, vitamin extracts, plant extracts, and essential oils.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the wetting composition comprises a silicone copolyol sulfosuccinate, such as disodium dimethicone copolyol sulfosuccinate and diammonium dimethicone copolyolsulfosuccinate. Desirably, the wetting composition comprises less than about 2 percent by weight of the silicone-based sulfosuccinate, and more desirably from about 0.05 percent to about 0.30 percent by weight of the silicone-based sulfosuccinate.

In another example of a product comprising a silicone emulsions, Dow Corning 9506 powder may also be present in the wetting composition. Dow Corning 9506 powder is believed to comprise a dimethicone/vinyldimethicone cross-polymer and is a spherical powder, which is said to be useful in controlling skin oils (see “New Chemical Perspectives,” Soap and Cosmetics, Vol. 76, No. 3, March 2000, p. 12). Thus, a water-dispersible wipe, which delivers a powder effective in controlling skin oil, is also within the scope of the present invention. Principles for preparing silicone emulsions are disclosed in WO 97/10100, published Mar. 20, 1997, the disclosure which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Emollients

The wetting composition of the present invention may also contain one or more emollients. Suitable emollients include, but are not limited to, PEG 75 lanolin, methyl gluceth 20 benzoate, C₁₂-C₁₅ alkyl benzoate, ethoxylated cetyl stearyl alcohol, products marketed as Lambent wax WS-L, Lambent WD-F, Cetiol HE (Henkel Corp.), Glucam P20 (Amerchol), Polyox WSR N-10 (Union Carbide), Polyox WSR N-3000 (Union Carbide), Luviquat (BASF), Finsolv SLB 101 (Finetex Corp.), mink oil, allantoin, stearyl alcohol, Estol 1517 (Uniqema), and Finsolv SLB 201 (Finetex Corp.).

An emollient can also be applied to a surface of the article prior to or after wetting with the wetting composition. Such an emollient may be insoluble in the wetting composition and can be immobile except when exposed to a force. For example, a petrolatum-based emollient can be applied to one surface in a pattern, after which the other surface is wetted to saturate the wipe. Such a product could provide a cleaning surface and an opposing skin treatment surface.

The emollient composition in such products and other products of the present invention can comprise a plastic or fluid emollient such as one or more liquid hydrocarbons (e.g., petrolatum), mineral oil and the like, vegetable and animal fats (e.g., lanolin, phospholipids and their derivatives) and/or a silicone materials such as one or more alkyl substituted polysiloxane polymers, including the polysiloxane emollients disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,126, issued Apr. 6, 1999 to Osborn, III. et al. Optionally, a hydrophilic surfactant may be combined with a plastic emollient to improve wettability of the coated surface. In some embodiments of the present invention, it is contemplated that liquid hydrocarbon emollients and/or alkyl substituted polysiloxane polymers may be blended or combined with one or more fatty acid ester emollients derived from fatty acids or fatty alcohols.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the emollient material is in the form of an emollient blend. Desirably, the emollient blend comprises a combination of one or more liquid hydrocarbons (e.g., petrolatum), mineral oil and the like, vegetable and animal fats (e.g., lanolin, phospholipids and their derivatives), with a silicone material such as one or more alkyl substituted polysiloxane polymers. More desirably, the emollient blend comprises a combination of liquid hydrocarbons (e.g., petrolatum) with dimethicone or with dimethicone and other alkyl substituted polysiloxane polymers. In some embodiments of the present invention, it is contemplated that blends of liquid hydrocarbon emollients and/or alkyl substituted polysiloxane polymers may be blended with one or more fatty acid ester emollients derived from fatty acids or fatty alcohols. PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate, available as Standamul HE (Henkel Corp., Hoboken, N.J), can also be considered.

Water-soluble, self-emulsifying emollient oils, which are useful in the present wetting compositions, include the polyoxyalkoxylated lanolins and the polyoxyalkoxylated fatty alcohols, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,690,821, issued Sep. 1, 1987 to Smith et al., herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The polyoxyalkoxy chains desirably will comprise mixed propylenoxy and ethyleneoxy units. The lanolin derivatives will typically comprise about 20-70 such lower-alkoxy units while the C₁₂-C₂₀-fatty alcohols will be derivatized with about 8-15 lower-alkyl units. One such useful lanolin derivative is Lanexol AWS (PPG-12-PEG-50, Croda, Inc., New York, N.Y.). A useful poly(15-20)C_(2-C) ₃-alkoxylate is PPG-5-Ceteth-20, known as Procetyl AWS (Croda, Inc.).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the emollient material reduces undesirable tactile attributes, if any, of the wetting composition. For example, emollient materials, including dimethicone, can reduce the level of tackiness that may be caused by the ion-sensitive binder or other components in the wetting composition, thus serving as a detackifier.

Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 25 weight percent of emollients based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the wetting composition may comprise less than about 5 weight percent emollient, and most desirably less than about 2% emollient. More desirably, the wetting composition may contain from about 0.01 weight percent to about 8 weight percent of emollients. Even more desirably, the wetting composition may contain from about 0.2 weight percent to about 2 weight percent of emollients.

In one embodiment, the wetting composition and/or pre-moistened wipes of the present invention comprise an oil-in-water emulsion comprising an oil phase containing at least one emollient oil and at least one emollient wax stabilizer dispersed in an aqueous phase comprising at least one polyhydric alcohol emollient and at least one organic water-soluble detergent, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,559,157, issued Dec. 17, 1985 to Smith et al., the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.

Surface Feel Modifiers

Surface feel modifiers are used to improve the tactile sensation (e.g., lubricity) of the skin during use of the product. Suitable surface feel modifiers include, but are not limited to, commercial debonders; and softeners, such as the softeners used in the art of tissue making including quaternary ammonium compounds with fatty acid side groups, silicones, waxes, and the like. Exemplary quaternary ammonium compounds with utility as softeners are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,554,862, issued to Hervey et al. on Jan. 12, 1971; U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,122, issued to Emanuelsson et al., Mar. 13, 1979, U.S. Patent No. 5,573,637, issued to Ampulski et al. Nov. 12, 1996; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,323, issued to Hellsten et al., Oct. 9, 1984, all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 2 weight percent of surface feel modifiers based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 weight percent to about 1 weight percent of surface feel modifiers. Even more desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 weight percent to about 0.05 weight percent of surface feel modifiers.

Fragrances

A variety of fragrances may be used in the wetting composition of the present invention. Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 2 weight percent of fragrances based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 weight percent to about 1 weight percent of fragrances. Even more desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 weight percent to about 0.05 weight percent of fragrances.

Fragrance Solubilizers

Further, a variety of fragrance solubilizers may be used in the wetting composition of the present invention. Suitable fragrance solubilizers include, but are not limited to, polysorbate 20, propylene glycol, ethanol, isopropanol, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, dipropylene glycol, diethyl phthalate, triethyl citrate, Ameroxol OE-2 (Amerchol Corp.), Brij 78 and Brij 98 (ICI Surfactants), Arlasolve 200 (ICI Surfactants), Calfax 16L-35 (Pilot Chemical Co.), Capmul POE-S (Abitec Corp.), Finsolv SUBSTANTIAL (Finetex), and the like. Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 2 weight percent of fragrance solubilizers based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 weight percent to about 1 weight percent of fragrance solubilizers. Even more desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 weight percent to about 0.05 weight percent of fragrance solubilizers.

Opacifiers

Suitable opacifiers include, but are not limited to, titanium dioxide or other minerals or pigments, and synthetic opacifiers such as REACTOPAQUE® particles (available from Sequa Chemicals, Inc., Chester, S.C.). Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 2 weight percent of opacifiers based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 weight percent to about 1 weight percent of opacifiers. Even more desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 weight percent to about 0.05 weight percent of opacifiers.

pH Control Agents

Suitable pH control agents for use in the wetting composition of the present invention include, but are not limited to, malic acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and the like. An appropriate pH range minimizes the amount of skin irritation resulting from the wetting composition on the skin. Desirably, the pH range of the wetting composition is from about 3.5 to about 6.5. More desirably, the pH range of the wetting composition is from about 4 to about 6. Desirably, the wetting composition contains less than about 2 weight percent of a pH adjuster based on the total weight of the wetting composition. More desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 weight percent to about 1 weight percent of a pH adjuster. Even more desirably, the wetting composition contains from about 0.01 weight percent to about 0.05 weight percent of a pH adjuster.

Although a variety of wetting compositions, formed from one or more of the above-described components, may be used with the wet wipes of the present invention, in one embodiment, the wetting composition contains the following components, given in weight percent of the wetting composition, as shown in Table 2 below:

TABLE 2 Wetting Composition Components Wetting Composition Component: Weight Percent: Deionized Water about 86 to about 98 Activating compound about 1 to about 6 Preservative Up to about 2 Surfactant Up to about 2 Silicone Emulsion Up to about 1 Emollient Up to about 1 Fragrance Up to about 0.3 Fragrance solubilizer Up to about 0.5 pH adjuster Up to about 0.2

In another embodiment of the present invention, the wetting composition comprises the following components, given in weight percent of the wetting composition, as shown in Table 3 below:

TABLE 3 Wetting Composition Components Class of Wetting Specific Wetting Composition Composition Component Component: Component: Name: Weight Percent: Vehicle Deionized Water about 86 to about 98 Activating Sodium Chloride about 1 to about 6 compound (Millport Ent., Milwaukee, WI) Preservative Glycerin, IPBC Mackstat H-66 Up to about 2 and DMDM (McIntyre Group, Hydantoin Chicago, IL) Surfactant Acyl Glutamate CS22 Up to about 2 (Ajinomoto, Tokyo, Japan) Silicone Dimethiconol and DC1785 Up to about 1 Emulsion TEA (Dow Corning, (Detackifier/ Dodecylbenezene Midland, MI) Skin Sulfonate Feel agent) PEG-75 Lanolin Solulan L-575 Up to about 1 Emollient (Amerchol, Middlesex, NJ Fragrance Fragrance Dragoco Up to about 0.3 0/708768 (Dragoco, Roseville, MN) Fragrance Polysorbate 20 Glennsurf L20 Up to about 0.5 solubilizer (Glenn Corp., St. Paul, MN) pH adjuster Malic Acid Up to about 0.2 to pH 5 (Haarman & Reimer, Tetrboro, NJ)

In another embodiment of the present invention, the wetting composition comprises the following components, given in weight percent of the wetting composition, as shown in Table 4 below:

TABLE 4 An Exemplary Wetting Composition Class of Wetting Specific Wetting Composition Composition Component Component: Component: Name: Weight Percent: Vehicle Deionized Water About 93 Activating Sodium Chloride About 4 compound Preservative Glycerin, IPBC Mackstat About 1 and DMDM H-66 Hydantoin Surfactant Acyl Glutamate CS22/ECS About 1 22P Silicone Dimethiconol DC 1784/ About 0.5 Emulsion and TEA DC1785 Dodecylbenezene Sulfonate Emollient PEG-75 Lanolin Solulan L- 575 About 0.25 Fragrance Fragrance Dragoco About 0.05 Fragrance 0/708768 Fragrance Polysorbate 20 Glennsurf L20 About 0.25 solubilizer pH adjuster Malic Acid About 0.07 to pH 5

TABLE 4a An Exemplary Wetting Composition Class of Wetting Specific Wetting Composition Composition Component Component: Component: Name: Weight Percent: Vehicle Deionized Water About 93 Activating Top-Flo About 4 compound Evaporated Salt (Cargill Foods, Minneapolis, Minnesota) Preservative Glycerin, IPBC Mackstat About 1 and DMDM H-66 Hydantoin Surfactant Sodium Cocoyl Hamposyl SC About 1 Gluatamate Glutamate (Hampshire Chemical, Nashua, New Hampshire) Silicone Dimethiconol and DC 1784/ About 0.42 Emulsion TEA DC 1785 Dodecylbenezene Sulfonate Emollient 0 Fragrance Fragrance Firmenich About 0.1 fragrance (Firmenich, Inc., Princeton, New Jersey) Fragrance Polysorbate 20 Glennsurf L20 About 0.25 solubilizer pH adjuster Malic Acid About 0.07 to bring the pH 5

It should be noted that the above-described wetting compositions of the present invention may be used with any one of the above-described ion-sensitive binder compositions of the present invention. Further, the above-described wetting compositions of the present invention may be used with any other binder composition, including conventional binder compositions, or with any known fibrous or absorbent substrate, whether dispersible or not.

Strength Properties

Unless otherwise specified, tensile testing is performed according to the following protocol. Testing of dry product should be conducted under TAPPI conditions (50% relative humidity, 73° F.) with a procedure similar to ASTM-1117-80, section 7. Tensile tests are performed with a constant crosshead speed tensile tester such as the Thwing Albert 1256-100 tensile tester with an RSA-2 10-kg load cell. Specimens are cut to 3-inch widths and 6 inch lengths, and mounted between jaws with a 4-inch gauge length. The crosshead speed is 12 inches per minute. Peak load (for tensile strength) and elongation at peak load (for stretch) are measured. For cross direction (CD) tensile tests, the sample is cut in the cross direction. For machine direction (MD) tensile tests, the sample is cut in the cross direction.

Tensile tests in the dry state are reported for webs taken prior to application of the wetting composition. The machine direction dry tensile strength is abbreviated as “MDDT”, and the cross direction dry tensile strength as “CDDT”. The results can be reported as kg/3-in or converted to units of g/in or g/2.54 cm.

Based on the dry weight of the specimen cut to the appropriate size, an excess amount of wetting solution (4% saline solution with no other additives, unless otherwise specified) is applied to reach a solution add-on of about 250-400%. The wetted specimens are then immediately passed through an Atlas Lab Wringer (Atlas Electric Devices Company, Chicago, Ill. No. 10404 LW-1, no load) to uniformly distribute the solution in the sample and gently remove the excess solution to achieve a final solution add-on of about 200%. Several iterations or passes may be needed to reach the add-on target depending on the sample. The completed, pre-moistened samples are then bagged in plastic to prevent dry-out before testing.

If an Atlas Wringer is not available the wetted sample may be hand rolled using a stainless steel cylinder to uniformly distribute the solution in the sample and gently remove the excess wetting solution. Alternatively, the wetting solution may be uniformly applied to the specimen by hand spraying. In this case, the final solution add-on is again measured gravimetrically only this time with the specimen placed on the balance during the application of the wetting solution. This alternative test method was used in a number of the Examples of the present application, including Examples 5-8, and 10-17.

Cross direction wet tensile tests (CDWT) or machine direction wet tensile strength (MDWT) are performed as described above using the pre-moistened sample as is, after the sample has equilibrated by sitting overnight in a sealed plastic bag. Alternatively, wet tensile results can be measured with an MTS Synergie 200 tensile tester using the Testworks™ 3.10 for Windows software. A 1-inch wide by 4-inch long strip can be used for testing. The gauge length between the jaws of the test device may be 3 inches. Testing is operated at the specified cross head speed of 12 in/min. The peak load for each of 10 samples was measured and the average peak load in grams per inch (g/1″).

For tests related to strength loss in a premoistened web occurring after exposure to a new solution, a container having dimensions of 200 mm by 120 mm and deep enough to hold 1000 ml is filled with 700 ml of the selected soak solution. No more than 108 square inches of sample are soaked in the 700 ml of soaking solution. The premoistened specimens, that have equilibrated overnight, are immersed in the soak solution and then allowed to soak undisturbed for a specified time period (typically 1 hour). At the completion of the soak period, samples are carefully retrieved from the soak solution, allowed to drain, and then tested immediately as described above (i.e., the sample is immediately mounted in the tensile tester and tested, without being passed through the wringer). In cases with highly dispersible materials, the samples often cannot be retrieved from the soaking solution without falling apart. The soaked tensile values for such samples are recorded as zero for the corresponding solution.

For the deionized soaked cross-direction wet tensile test, S-CDWT, the sample is immersed in deionized water for 1 hour and then tested. For the hard-water soaked cross-direction wet tensile test, S-CDWT-M (M indicating divalent and/or multivalent metal ions), the sample is immersed in water containing 200 ppm of Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ in a 2:1 ratio prepared from calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, soaked for one hour and then tested. For the medium hard water soaked cross-direction wet tensile test, MS-CDWT-M, the sample is immersed in water containing 50 ppm of Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ in a 2:1 ratio, soaked for one hour and then tested. Testing done with other time increments or soaking solutions should be so indicated to prevent confusion with the S-CDWT or S-CDWT-M tests.

In one embodiment of the present invention, wet wipes are produced using the above-described wetting composition in Table 3 and an air-laid fibrous material comprising about 80 weight percent of bleached kraft fibers and about 20 weight percent of any one of the above-described ion-sensitive binder compositions of the present invention, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the dry nonwoven fabric. In a further embodiment of the present invention, wet wipes are produced using the above-described wetting composition in Table 3 and an air-laid fibrous material comprising about 90 weight percent of softwood fibers and about 10 weight percent of an ion-sensitive binder compositions comprising acrylic acid terpolymers or a copolymer substantially free of acrylic acid monomers, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the dry nonwoven fabric. The amount of wetting composition added to the nonwoven fabric, relative to the weight of the dry nonwoven fabric in these embodiments, is desirably about 180 percent to about 240 weight percent.

Desirably, the wet wipes of the present invention possess an in-use wet tensile strength (CDWT) of at least about 100 g/in, and a tensile strength of less than about 30 g/in after being soaked in water having a concentration of Ca²⁺ and/or Mg²⁺ ions of about 50 ppm for about one hour (MS-CDWT-M). More desirably, the wet wipes possess an in-use wet tensile strength of at least about 300 g/in (CDWT), and a tensile strength of less than about 30 g/in after being soaked in water having a concentration of Ca²⁺ and/or Mg²⁺ ions of about 50 ppm for about one hour (MS-CDWT-M). In a further embodiment, the wet wipes desirably possess an in-use wet tensile strength of at least about 200 g/in (CDWT), and a tensile strength of less than about 20 g/in after being soaked in water having a concentration of Ca²⁺ and/or Mg²⁺ ions of about 200 ppm for about one hour (S-CDWT-M). Even more desirably, the wet wipes possess an in-use wet tensile strength of at least about 300 g/in, and a tensile strength of less than about 20 g/in after being soaked in water having a concentration of Ca²⁺ and/or Mg²⁺ ions of about 200 ppm for about one hour (S-CDWT-M).

Desirably, the wet wipes treated with the binder material of the present invention including the acrylic acid terpolymer possess an in-use wet tensile strength of at least about 100 g/in for a 1 inch width sample in the cross machine direction when soaked with about 10% to about 400% by weight wet wipes solution containing more than about 0.3% by weight monovalent ion (NaCl) concentration and a tensile strength of less than about 30 g/in after being soaked in deionized water for about one hour. More desirably, the wet wipes treated with the binder material of the present invention including the acrylic acid terpolymer possess an in-use tensile strength of at least about 200 g/in for a 1 inch width sample in the cross machine direction when soaked with about 10% to about 400% by weight wet wipes solution containing more than about 0.3% by weight monovalent ion (NaCl) concentration and a tensile strength of less than about 30 g/in after being soaked in deionized water for about one hour.

In a further embodiment, the wet wipes treated with the binder material of the present invention including the sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid terpolymer desirably possess an in-use tensile strength of at least about 200 g/in for a 1 inch width sample in the cross machine direction when soaked with about 10% to about 400% by weight wet wipes solution containing more than about 1% by weight monovalent ion (NaCl) concentration and a tensile strength of less than about 30 g/in after being soaked in water having a concentration of Ca²⁺ and/or Mg²⁺ ions of about 50 ppm for about one hour. Even more desirably, the wet wipes treated with the binder material of the present invention including the sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid terpolymer possess an in-use tensile strength of at least about 200 g/in for a 1 inch width sample in the cross machine direction when soaked with about 10% to about 400% by weight wet wipes solution containing more than about 1% by weight monovalent ion (NaCl) concentration and a tensile strength of less than about 30 g/in after being soaked in water having a concentration of Ca²⁺ and/or Mg²⁺ ions of about 200 ppm for about one hour.

Products with higher basis weights or wet strengths than flushable wet wipes may have relatively higher wet tensile strength. For example, products such as pre-moistened towels or hard-surface cleaning wipes may have basis weights above about 70 gsm, such as from about 80 gsm to about 150 gsm. Such products can have CDWT values of about 500 g/in or greater, with S-CDWT values of about 150 g/in or less, more desirably about 100 g/in or less, and most desirably about 50 g/in or less, with similar ranges possible for S-CDWT-M.

Dispersibility

Prior efforts to measure dispersibility of webs, whether dry or premoistened, have commonly relied on systems in which the web was exposed to shear while in water, such as measuring the time for a web to break up while being agitated by a mechanical mixer. The constant exposure to shear offers a somewhat unrealistic and overly optimistic test for products designed to be flushed in a toilet, where the level of shear is weak and extremely brief. Once the product has passed through the neck of the toilet and entered a septic tank, shear rates may be negligible. Further, the product may not be fully wetted with water from the toilet bowl when it is flushed, or rather, there may not have been adequate time for the wetting composition of the product to have been replaced with the water of the toilet bowl when the momentary shear of flushing is applied. Thus, previous measurements of dispersibility could suggest that a product is dispersible when, in fact, it may be poorly suited for septic and sewer systems.

For a more realistic appraisal of dispersibility, it is believed that a relatively static measure is needed to better simulate the low shear that real products will experience once they have become fully wetted with water from the toilet. Thus, a test method for dispersibility has been developed which does not rely on shear and which provides an improved means of assessing suitability of a product for a septic system. In this method, the tensile strength of a product is measured in its original, wetted form (the CDWT measurement described above) and after the product has been soaked in a second solution for one hour (either the S-CDWT or S-CDWT-M test). The second solution can be either deionized water for determination of the “Deionized Dispersibility” value or hard water (according to the S-CDWT-M test) for determination of the “Hard Water Dispersibility” value. In either case, the Dispersibility is defined as (1 minus the ratio of the cross-direction wet tensile strength in the second solution divided by the original cross-direction wet tensile strength)*100%. Thus, if a pre-moistened wipe loses 75% of its CD wet tensile strength after soaking in hard water for one hour, the Hard Water Dispersibility is (1−0.25)*100%=75%. The articles of the present invention desirably have a Deionized Dispersibility of about 80% or greater, more desirably about 90% or greater, and more desirable still about 95% or greater, and can have a Deionized Dispersibility of about 100%. The articles of the present invention desirably have a Hard Water Dispersibility of about 70% or greater, more desirably about 80% or greater, more desirably about 90% or greater, and desirably have a Deionized Dispersibility of about 100%.

As before, it is desirable for the water dispersible fibrous fabric of the present invention to disperse in water after no more than about 60 minutes, more desirably after no more than about 20 minutes, and more desirably to disperse in water after no more than about 10 minutes. Furthermore, it also desirable that wherein after up to about 60 minutes, more desirably after up to about 20 minutes of exposure to water that the fibrous material of the present invention break up into multiple pieces each having an average size of less than about 50% relative to its pre-dispersed size, more desirably into multiple pieces each having an average size of less than about 40% relative to its pre-dispersed size, and even more desirably into multiple pieces each having an average size of less than about 30% relative to its pre-dispersed size.

Method of Making Wet Wipes

The pre-moistened wipes of the present invention can be made in several ways. In one embodiment, the ion-sensitive polymer composition is applied to a fibrous substrate as part of an aqueous solution or suspension, wherein subsequent drying is needed to remove the water and promote binding of the fibers. In particular, during drying, the binder migrates to the crossover points of the fibers and becomes activated as a binder in those regions, thus providing acceptable strength to the substrate. For example, the following steps can be applied:

1. Providing an absorbent substrate that is not highly bonded (e.g., an unbonded airlaid, a tissue web, a carded web, fluff pulp, etc.).

2. Applying an ion-sensitive polymer composition to the substrate, typically in the form of a liquid, suspension, or foam.

3. Applying a co-binder polymer to the substrate.

4. Drying the substrate to promote bonding of the substrate. The substrate may be dried such that the peak substrate temperature does not exceed about 200° C., or about 180° C., or about 160° C., or about 140° C., or about 120° C., about 110° C., or about 100° C. In one embodiment, the substrate temperature does not exceed about 80° C. or about 60° C.

5. Applying a wetting composition to the substrate.

6. Placing the wetted substrate in roll form or in a stack and packaging the product.

Application of the co-binder polymer can be done simultaneously with application of the binder composition by previously mixing the two, or the co-binder polymer can be added before or after the binder is applied. The other steps are desirably conducted in the order shown above.

Application of the ion-sensitive polymer composition to the substrate can be by means of spray; by foam application; by immersion in a bath; by curtain coating; by coating and metering with a wire-wound rod; by passage of the substrate through a flooded nip; by contact with a pre-metered wetted roll coated with the binder solution; by pressing the substrate against a deformable carrier containing the ion-sensitive polymer composition such as a sponge or felt to effect transfer into the substrate; by printing such as gravure, inkjet, or flexographic printing; and any other means known in the art.

In the use of foams to apply a binder or co-binder polymer, the mixture is frothed, typically with a foaming agent, and spread uniformly on the substrate, after which vacuum is applied to pull the froth through the substrate. Any known foam application method can be used, including that of U.S. Pat. No. 4,018,647, “Process for the Impregnation of a Wet Fiber Web with a Heat Sensitized Foamed Latex Binder,” issued Apr. 19, 1977 to Wietsma, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference. Wietsma discloses a method wherein a foamed latex is heat-sensitized by the addition of a heat-sensitizer such as functional siloxane compounds including siloxane oxyalkylene block copolymers and organopolysiloxanes. Specific examples of applicable heat-sensitizers and their use thereof for the heat sensitization of latices are described in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,255,140; 3,255,141; 3,483,240 and 3,484,394, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The use of a heat-sensitizer is said to result in a product having a very soft and textile-like hand compared to prior methods of applying foamed latex binders.

The amount of heat-sensitizer to be added is dependent on, inter alia, the type of latex used, the desired coagulation temperature, the machine speed and the temperatures in the drying section of the machine, and will generally be in the range of about 0.05 to about 3% by weight, calculated as dry matter on the dry weight of the latex; but also larger or smaller amounts may be used. The heat sensitizer can be added in such an amount that the latex will coagulate far below the boiling point of water, for instance at a temperature in the range of about 35° C. to about 95° C., or from about 35° C. to about 65° C.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that a drying step after application of the binder solution and before application of the wetting composition enhances bonding of a fibrous substrate by driving the binder to fiber crossover points as moisture is driven off, thus promoting efficient use of the binder. However, in an alternative method, the drying step listed above is skipped, and the ion-sensitive polymer composition is applied to the substrate followed by application of the wetting composition without significant intermediate drying. In one version of this method, the ion-sensitive polymer composition selectively adheres to the fibers, permitting excess water to be removed in an optional pressing step without a significant loss of the binder from the substrate. In another version, no significant water removal occurs prior to application of the wetting composition. In yet another alternative method, the ion-sensitive polymer composition and the wetting composition are applied simultaneously, optionally with subsequent addition of salt or other activating compounds to activate or further activate the binder.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which are not to be construed in any way as imposing limitations upon the scope thereof. On the contrary, it is to be clearly understood that resort may be had to various other embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereof which, after reading the description herein, may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention and/or the scope of the appended claims.

EXAMPLES

As used herein, the “thickness” of a web is measured with a 3-in acrylic plastic disk connected to the spindle of a Mitutoyo Digimatic Indicator (Mitutoyo Corporation, 31-19, Shiba 5-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108, Japan) and which delivers a net load of 0.05 psi to the sample being measured. The Mitutoyo Digimatic Indicator is zeroed when the disk rests on a flat surface. When a sample having a size at least as great as the acrylic disk is placed under the disk, a thickness reading can be obtained from the digital readout of the indicator. Water-dispersible substrates of the present invention can have any suitable thickness, such as from about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm. For wet wipes, thicknesses can be in the range of about 0.2 mm to about 1 mm, more desirably from about 0.3 mm to about 0.7 mm. Thickness can be controlled, for example, by the application of compaction rolls during or after web formation, by pressing after binder or wetting composition has been applied, or by controlling the tension of winding when forming a roll good.

The use of the platen method to measure thickness gives an average thickness at the macroscopic level. Local thickness may vary, especially if the product has been embossed or has otherwise been given a three-dimensional texture.

Example 1

Preparation of Sulfonate Anion Modified Acrylic Acid Terpolymer

An sulfonate anion modified acrylic acid terpolymer was produced using the polymerization procedure outlined in Example 1 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/564,212 (a co-pending application assigned to Kimberly Clark entitled “Ion-Sensitive, Water-Dispersible Polymers, A Method Of Making Same And Items Using Same”), filed May 4, 2000. The following monomers were used: acrylic acid (43.3 g, 0.60 mol), AMPS (10.7 g, 0.052 mol), butyl acrylate (31.9, 0.245 mol), and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (19.1, 0.105 mol) were dissolved in 55 g of acetone/water (70/30) mixture. An initiator, 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) (0.51 g, 3.1×10⁻³ mol), was dissolved in 20 ml of acetone. NAOH (2.1 g, 0.052 mol) in 20 ml of water was added at room temperature to neutralize the AMPS component in the samples. The desired composition of the resulting terpolymer contained 5.0 mole % NaAMPS, 60 mole % AA, 24.5 mole % BA and 10.5 mole % EHA. Additional NaOH may desirably be added to raise the polymer solution's pH to 3.9 to 4.5.

Example 2

Preparation of an Acrylic Acid Terpolymer

An acrylic acid terpolymer was produced using the polymerization procedure outlined in Example 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,883. The following monomers were used: acrylic acid (50 g, 0.60 mol), butyl acrylate (25 g, 0.20 mol), and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (25 g, 0.14 mol). The polymer was neutralized with 0.1 mole sodium hydroxide.

Example 3

Preparation of Ion-sensitive Polymer Formulation

The polymers prepared in Example 1 and Example 2 above were combined with Dur-O-Set® RB to form the ion-sensitive polymer formulations of the present invention. The polymer formulations were prepared as shown in Table 5 below.

TABLE 5 Ion-Sensitive Polymer Formulations % Terpolymer % Modified Terpolymer Sample (Example 2) (Example 1) % EVA  1 85.0 0.0 15.0  2 0.0 85.0 15.0  3 65.0 0.0 35.0  4 0.0 65.0 35.0  5 95.0 0.0 5.0  6 0.0 95.0 5.0  7 55.0 0.0 45.0  8 0.0 55.0 45.0  9 75.0 0.0 25.0 10 0.0 75.0 25.0

Example 4

Dispersibility of Ion-sensitive Polymer Formulation

The sensitivity of the polymer formulations of Example 3 to divalent cations present in hard water were measured. Samples 1-10 of Example 3 are placed in a number of CaCl₂ solutions with a Ca²⁻concentration varying from <10 to 200 ppm. Following soaking for an hour, the dispersibility of each polymer is noted. The dispersibility results (expressed in percent weight loss after soaking) are given in Table 6.

TABLE 6 Dispersibility Results Dispersibility in Ca²⁺ Sample <10 ppm 50 ppm 100 ppm 200 ppm Sample 1 100  94  78 12 Sample 2 100 100  98 91 Sample 3 100  60  36  2 Sample 4  99 100  97 90 Sample 5 100  97  88 19 Sample 6 100 100  99 90 Sample 7  89  42  31  0 Sample 8 100  96  96 90 Sample 9 100  73  78  7 Sample 10 100 100 100 90

In every case the film cast from the blend containing NaAMPS is more dispersible than the film containing the acrylic acid terpolymer, especially as the calcium ion concentration increases.

Example 5

A substrate in the form of an airlaid web was prepared on a commercial airlaid machine having a width of 66.5 inches. A DanWeb airlaid former with two forming heads was used to produce substrates having basis weights of about 60 gsm. Weyerhaeuser CF405 bleached softwood kraft fiber in pulp sheet form was used and fiberized in a hammermill, then formed into an airlaid web on a moving wire at a speed of 200 to 300 feet per minute. The newly formed web was densified by heated compaction rolls and transferred to a second wire, where the web was humidified with an atomized spray of water applying an estimated 5% moisture add on level immediately prior to a second heated compaction roll to further density the web. The web was then transferred to an oven wire and sprayed on the top side with ion-sensitive polymer formulation mixture on the exposed surface of the web, applying 10% ion-sensitive polymer formulation solids relative to the dry fiber mass of the web.

The ion-sensitive polymer formulation mixture comprised water as the carrier with 12% binder solids, wherein the binder comprised 75% SSB-4 as the ion-sensitive polymer formulation and 25% Rhoplex® NW-1715K latex emulsion (Rohm and Haas Corp.) as the co-binder polymer.

Spray was applied with a series of Quick Veejet® nozzles, Nozzle No. 730077, manufactured by Spraying Systems Co. (Wheaton, Ill.), operating at 95 psi. A spray boom over the web provided 13 such nozzles on 5.5-inch centers with a tip-to-wire distance of 8 inches. This arrangement yields 100% overlap of spray cones for the ion-sensitive polymer formulation solution of this trial.

After the web was sprayed, it was carried into an oven with through-flow of air at about 225° C. to dry the binder solution. The web then was transferred onto the underside of another oven wire, upon which it passed over another spray boom where more ion-sensitive polymer formulation solution was applied to the bottom side of the web to add another 10 weight percent solids relative to the dry fiber mass of the web. The web then passed through two successive dryer units where through-air drying with air at about 225° C. completed drying of the web. The pressure differential across the web was approximately 10 inches of water. The length of the three dryer sections, from first to third, respectively, was about 9, 10, and 6 feet.

The thickness of the web after drying was 1.14 mm (this number, like other physical properties reported here, can vary depending on the fibers, basis weight, and so forth). The machine direction dry tensile (MDDT) strength of the web was measured at 4.59 kg/3-in. The cross direction dry tensile (CDDT) strength of the web was measured at 3.82 kg/3-in with a CD stretch of 8.98%.

The dried and treated web was then trimmed to 60 inches width, reeled and later slit into 4-inch wide rolls, which were then hand treated with wetting composition and formed into coreless rolls suitable for use as a pre-moistened bath wipe. The wetting composition was uniformly applied on one side of the 4-inch wide web prior to reeling the web into rolls suitably sized for use. The wetting composition was 4 weight percent NaCl in deionized water.

The cross direction wet tensile (CDWT) at 4 weight percent saline was measured at 0.76 kg/3-in. The Soaked CDWT strength was effectively 0, as was the Soaked CD Stretch, meaning the sheet was fully dispersible.

Example 6

The sheet formed was identical to that of Example 5 except that the fibers in the airlaid web were 75% softwood kraft and 25% PET fibers. The thickness of the web after drying was 1.35 mm. The machine direction dry tensile (MDDT) strength of the web was measured at 3.87 kg/3-in. The cross direction dry tensile (CDDT) strength of the web was measured at 2.84 kg/3-in with a CD stretch of 11.31%. The cross direction wet tensile (CDWT) at 4% saline was measured at 0.82 kg/3-in. The Soaked CDWT strength was effectively 0, as was the Soaked CD Stretch.

Example 7

Additional examples were conducted according to Example 5, with the exception that Rovene® latex emulsion was used as the co-binder polymer and the basis weight and fiber composition varied as shown in Table 7. The Soaked CDWT results were all 0, indicating a complete loss of tensile strength. Other results are shown in Table 7, where Pulp/PET designates the ratio of softwood to synthetic fibers in the substrate, BW is the basis weight in gsm, TH is the thickness in mm, and S-CDWT-M is the one-hour soak CD wet tensile test for a sample soaked in water containing 200 ppm of Ca²⁺ /Mg²⁺ in a 2:1 ratio.

TABLE 7 Measurements for Examples 3A-3F. MDDT CDDT CDWT S-CDWT-M Run Pulp/PET BW (gsm) Thick. (mm) (kg/3-in) (kg/3-in) (kg/3-in) (kg/3-in) 3A 100/0  60.3 1.18 5.44 4.12 0.69 0 3B 85/15 62.9 1.25 4.68 4.23 0.66 0 3C 75/25 55.6 1.04 5.48 4.06 0.66 0 3D 75/25 59.3 1.19 4.87 3.96 0.81 0.17 3E 75/25 60.7 1.48 4.41 3.51 0.79 0.12 3F 85/15 62.7 1.46 4.60 3.82 0.76 0

The S-CDWT-M values (soaked wet tensile in hard water) were non-zero for two trials with 25% PET fibers, suggesting that higher amounts of synthetic fibers can begin to compromise water dispersibility.

Example 8

A pre-moistened wipe was made similar to that of Example 5, except that the co-binder polymer was a modified Elite® latex emulsion substantially free of crosslinking agents provided by National Starch. The basis weight of the web was 61.35, the thickness 1.21 mm, the MDDT 5.09 kg/3-in, the MD stretch 7.89%, the CDDT 3.90 kg/3-in, the CD stretch 9.50%, the CDWT in 4% saline 0.78 kg/3-in, the CDWT stretch 32.96%, and the residual strengths after one hour in both deionized water (S-CDWT) and hard water (S-CDWT-M) were 0 kg/3-in.

Example 9

Binder Specifications

A variety of ion-sensitive binders were prepared comprising was prepared acrylic acid (M), butacrylic acid (BA), 2-ethylhexyl-acrylic acid (2-EHA), and AMPS, with mole percents and molecular weights shown in Table 8:

TABLE 8 Ion-sensitive binders comprising AMPS SSB Mole percent of monomers: Code MW × 10⁻⁶ AA BA 2-EHA AMPS A 1.54 60 24.5 10.5 5 B 1.32 60 24.5 10.5 5 C 0.604 60 24.5 10.5 5 D 0.548 60 24.5 10.5 5 E 0.609 60 24.5 10.5 5 F 0.545 60 24.5 10.5 5 G 1.21 62 24.5 8.5 5 H 0.79 60 24.5 10.5 5 I 0.916 60 24.5 10.5 5 J 0.71 60 24.5 10.5 5 K 0.786 60 24.5 10.5 5 L 0.845 60 24.5 10.5 5 M 0.640 60 24.5 10.5 5 N 0.800 60 24.5 10.5 5 O 0.635 60 24.5 10.5 5 P 0.610 60 24.5 10.5 5 Q 0.575 60 24.5 10.5 5 R 0.638 60 24.5 10.5 5 T 0.609 60 25.5 10.5 4

The binder was prepared according to the methods of Example 1, but scaled up as a batch process capable of producing several hundred gallons per batch.

Example 10

A variety of binder/co-binder combinations were prepared, as described below, using the salt-sensitive binders of Table 8 and co-binders as shown in Table 9 which are not self-crosslinkable.

TABLE 9 Latex co-binders that are not self-crosslinkable. Co-binder ID Co-binder Manufacturer 1 Dur-O-Set ® RB National Starch 2 Rhoplex ® NW-1715K Rohm and Haas 3 Rovene ® 4817 Mallard Creek

Using the methods described in Example 5, airlaid substrates were made from bleached kraft fibers. The substrate was hand wetted with a 4% NaCl solution and tested using the methods described. All substrates were comprised of wood pulp (CF405) and binder. Results are shown in Table 10, where the binder mixture consistently comprised 75% of a salt-sensitive binder selected from Table 8 and 25% of a co-binder selected from Table 9. The binder/co-binder column refers to the binder and co-binders listed in Table 8 and 9, respectively. For example, “A/1” refers to a mixture of SSB Code A in Table 8 and co-binder 1 of Table 9.

TABLE 10 Tensile data for various binder systems. % Binder/ SSB BW Thick. CDWT S-CDWT S-CDWT-M S-CDWT-M3 Binder Cob. MW × 10⁻⁶ (gsm) (mm) (kg/3-in) (kg/3-in) (kg/3-in) 3 hrs (kg/3-in) 16.7 A/1 1.54 71.3 1.46 0.990 0 0.330 0.180 20 B/1 1.32 63.3 1.25 1.242 0.163 0.470 0.310 20 B/1 1.32 66.6 1.46 1.040 0 0.230 0.550 20 G/1 1.21 62.2 1.20 1.002 0 0.270 0 20 H/1 0.79 63.1 1.3 1.070 0 0 0 16.7 C/1 0.604 73.6 1.59 0.750 0 0 0 20 C/1 0.604 71.2 1.5 0.900 0 0 0 20 C/1 0.604 61.1 1.28 1.140 0 0 0 20 D/1 0.548 62.5 1.32 0.900 0 0 0

As seen in Table 10, nearly all of the substrates have lost more that 80% of their tensile strength after soaking in deionized water for 1 hour (S-CDWT). The substrates have lost more that 60% of their strength (S-CDWT-M) after soaking for 1 hour in a solution of 200 ppm of divalent cations (Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ 2:1). In particular, for the runs shown in Table 10, the samples completely lost their strength in 1 hour in the 200 ppm solution when the molecular weight of the salt sensitive binder was less than 1,200,000. After 3 hours of soak time in the 200 ppm divalent cation solution, the SSBs with high molecular weight have generally lost more of their strength, but may still have non-zero tensile strength.

Example 11

Different co-binders from Table 9 were blended with the salt-sensitive binder Code F from Table 8. The binder blend was then applied using the methods described in Example 5 to create the airlaid substrates listed in Table 11. In each case, 20% binder solids were applied to the substrate in a blend of 75% SSB/25% co-binder

TABLE 11 Tensile data for various co-binder systems. Binder/ Co-binder CDWT S-CDWT S-CDWT-M Co-binder Used BW (gsm) Thick, (mm) (kg/3-in) (kg/3-in) (kg/3-in) F/1 Dur-O- 59.77 1.06 0.735 0 0 Set ® RB F/2 Rhoplex ® 60.83 1.14 0.758 0 0 F/3 Rovene ® 60.28 1.18 0.687 0 0

Under similar run conditions, all three co-binders perform comparably. All of the substrates have lost their tensile strength (S-CDWT-M) in the 200 ppm divalent cation solution independent of co-binder type.

Example 12

Additional samples were prepared according to Example 11 above, except that 15 weight % of the fiber blend consisted of 6-mm, 3 denier crimped PET fibers (KoSa). Different co-binders from Table 9 were blended with the salt-sensitive binder Code F from Table 8. The binder blend was then applied using the methods described in Example 5 to create the airlaid substrates whose properties are listed in Table 12. In each case, 20% binder solids were applied to the substrate in a blend of 75% SSB/25% co-binder. The properties of these substrates were measured after wetting with a 4% NaCl solution. All three co-binders perform comparably. All of the substrates have lost their tensile strength in 200 ppm divalent cation solution independent of co-binder type. Compared to the parallel results in Example 11, incorporation of the synthetic fibers impart a slight to modest strength improvement (CDWT) and a modest increase in dry bulk.

TABLE 12 Data for substrates with PET fibers and various co-binders. Binder/ Co-binder CDWT S-CDWT S-CDWT-M Co-binder Used BW (gsm) Thick (mm) (kg/3-in) (kg/3-in) (kg/3-in) F/1 Dur-O- 63.32 1.31 0.782 0 0 Set ® RB F/2 Rhoplex ® 62.07 1.35 0.820 0 0 F/3 Rovene ® 62.90 1.25 0.660 0 0

Example 13

Additional examples were conducted according to Example 11 with increasing amounts of synthetic fiber being added to the fiber blend. Either a 6 mm crimped PET fiber (KoSa) or a 6 mm, crimped 2.4 dtex, TENCEL® fiber (Acordis) was used as noted in Table 13 below. The binder blend was a constant blend of 75% SSB and 25% co-binder.

TABLE 13 Data for substrates with PET and TENCEL ® fibers and various co-binders. Pulp/ Synth. Binder Binder/ BW Thick. CDWT S-CDWT S-CDWT-M Synth. Type % Co-binder (gsm) (mm) (kg/3-in) (kg/3-in) (kg/3-in) 100/0  None 20% F/3 60.28 1.18 0.687 0 0 85/15 PET 6 mm 20% F/3 62.90 1.25 0.660 0 0 75/25 PET 6 mm 20% F/3 59.32 1.19 0.805 0 0.170 75/25 PET 6 mm 20% F/3 60.65 1.48 0.790 0 0.120 85/15 PET 6 mm 20% F/3 62.67 1.46 0.757 0 0 85/15 TENCEL ® 19% E/2 58.3 1.08 0.969 0 0 -6 mm 75/25 TENCEL ® 19% E/2 59.2 1.09 1.080 0 0.127 -6 mm

The soaked CDWT tensiles in 200 ppm of divalent cation are non-zero for those trial combinations with 25% synthetic fiber (PET or lyocell), suggesting that higher amounts can begin to compromise water dispersibility.

Example 14

All substrates were prepared according to the methods described in Example 13. All substrates were comprised of the fiber blend noted in Table 14 with 20% binder in the sheet and Dur-O-Set® RB serving as the co-binder. Synthetic fibers were crimped and either 6 mm, 3 denier PET (KoSa) or 6 or 8 mm, 1.7 dtex TENCEL® (Acordis).

TABLE 14 Data for substrates with various fibers and binders. % Syn. Syn. Binder/ BW Thick. MDDT CDDT CDWT S-CDWT S-CDWT-M Code Fiber Fiber Cob. (gsm) (mm) (kg/3-in) (kg/3-in) (kg/3-in) (kg/3-in) (kg/3-in) 2701 0 None F/1 61.3 1.19 4.65 3.50 0.738 0 0 2702 15 PET F/1 63.3 1.31 3.63 3.00 0.782 0 0 2714 15 L-1.7-6 F/1 61.8 1.33 5.50 4.22 0.768 0 0 2715 15 L-1.7-8 F/1 63.7 1.47 5.47 4.69 0.842 0 0 2716 0 None J/1 65.5 1.11 5.91 4.39 1.193 0 0 2717 15 L-1.7-8 J/1 61.4 1.02 6.87 5.34 1.512 0 0.200 3010 0 None R/1 61.1 0.80 7.17 6.30 1.710 0 0 3015 15 PET R/1 62.23 0.86 5.85 5.11 1.769 0 0.070 3016 5 L-1.7-8 R/1 60.63 0.79 8.64 8.00 2.620 0 0.170 The results for Code 2701 in Table 14 reflect an average of 4 runs.

The examples of Table 14 suggest that that synthetic fiber length, weight and web compaction in combination can affect the dispersibility of the product as indicated by its S-CDWT-M value.

While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the use of 8 mm lyocell fibers provided fibers which had sufficient length so as to allow or enable some of the fibers to become sufficiently engage or overlap with the others so as to provide some strength characteristics yet not be so engaged with the other fibers so as to adversely effect the dispersibility of the fabric.

Example 15

The substrates listed in Table 15 were prepared, wetted with 4% NaCl solution, and tested according to the methods described in Example 14. Each substrate was comprised of the fiber blend noted and 17% binder (using 75/25 blends of SSB binder (see Table 8) and Dur-O-Set® RB latex co-binder (National Starch).) The SSB binder comprised 60 mole percent acrylic acid (AA), 24.5 mole percent butacrylic acid (BA), 10.5 mole percent 2-ethylhexyl-acrylic acid (2-EHA), and 5 mole percent AMPS; the polymer was neutralized to a pH of about 4.2. The basis weight was generally held constant to about 60 gsm. The thickness or caliper of the web was generally held constant.

TABLE 15 Data for substances with various amounts and lengths of synthetic fiber. Binder/ % Syn. Syn. BW Thick. 4% NaCl 4% NaCl 4% NaCl Code Cob. Fiber Fiber (gsm) (mm) MDWT (g/in) Stretch (%) CD Tear (g) 2 (Control) 75/25 0 0 58.5 0.88 287 (9.5) 30.72 (4.46) 59.1 (4.55) 4 75/25 10 L-6 mm- 62.2 0.74 206 (17.6) 28.86 (4.46) 68.5 (8.50) 1.7 dtex 6 75/25 10 L-8 mm- 60.1 0.93 365 (16.8) 30.70 (2.60) 84.5 (8.64) 1.7 dtex 6A 75/25 15 L-8 mm- 57.3 0.85 328 (75.7) 25.93 (7.22) 85.2 (9.16) 1.7 dtex 6B 75/25 20 L-8 mm- 56.8 0.86 409 (14.8) 31.40 (1.71) 90.6 (7.23) 1.7 dtex

In Table 15, each data point represents an average of 10 samples with the mean values expressed and the standard deviation (sigma) expressed in parenthesis following the mean value.

As the length and quantity of the synthetic fiber increases there is a noticeable increase in the MDWT. These examples suggest that increasing the amount and quantity of synthetic fiber can provide desired wet strength without compromising the dispersibility of the product.

Example 16

Samples were made as in Example 5 using 75/25 blends of SSB binder (see Table 8) and Dur-O-Set® RB co-binder (co-binder 1 of Table 9), according to the information in Table 16 below. Each sample was hand wetted with the composition identified in Table 4a. The binder solution had about 15 weight percent binder solids. Codes 1900 and 2300 included 0% lyocell fibers. Codes 1910 and 2310 contained 10% lyocell fibers (8 mm, 1.7 dtex). Code 1900 and 1910 contained 19% binder. Codes 2300 and 2310 contained 23% binder. The samples were made at a line speed of 365 feet per minute.

TABLE 16 Data for substrates with various synthetic amounts. # of data points BW Caliper Density MDWT MDWT used to produce Code (gsm) (mm) (g/cc) (g/inch) Stretch (%) sample results 1900 62.7 0.84 0.075 298 28.9 16 1910 60.6 0.93 0.065 400 29.1 32 2300 65.6 0.84 0.078 434 28.9 32 2310 63.9 0.88 0.073 599 31.5 40

The results of Table 16 shows that the amount of binder in the web can be manipulated and result in an increased strength where all other factors being equal. Table 16 also shows that the percentage of 8 mm TENCEL® fibers (Acordis) in the web can be manipulated and result in an increased strength where all other factors being equal. As illustrated the addition of lyocell increases the basesheet MDWT by about 130 g/inch. The amount of the increase was unexpected.

Example 17

Samples were made as in Example 5 using 75/25 blends of SSB binder (see Table 8) and Dur-O-Set® co-binder (co-binder 1 of Table 9), according to the information in Table 17 below. The binder solution had about 15 weight percent binder solids. Codes 3900 and 3901 were performed without the addition of synthetic fibers, whereas Code 3909 included 8 mm, 1.7 dtex lyocell fibers. Tensile results in Table 17 show good dispersibility over a range of product conditions as well as a significant increase in both MD and CD tensile strengths where 8 mm synthetic fibers are included in the substrate.

TABLE 17 Tensile Strength. 4% 4% NaCl 1 hour BW Caliper % % Actual Actual NaCl MDWT CDWT MDWT Code target target binder lyocell BW Caliper MDWT Stretch (4%) MDDT Soak DI 3900 65 1.2 20% 0% 65.0 1.16 439 31 323 1628 0 3901 65 0.8 20% 0% 66.9 0.79 469 30 385 2212 0 3909 65 0.8 20% 10% 66.5 0.83 717 28 554 2798 12 The results for Code 3901 in Table 17 reflect an average of 5 runs. The results for Code 3909 in Table 17 reflect an average of 2 runs.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates only to certain disclosed embodiments of the present invention and that numerous modifications or alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A water dispersible fibrous fabric comprising: a fibrous substrate, wherein less than about 20% of the fibers comprising the fibrous substrate have a length of about 6-10 mm; and a water-dispersible binder; wherein said binder is an ion-sensitive composition comprising a sulfonate anion modified polymer and a non-crosslinking poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate), wherein the composition is insoluble in a neutral salt solution containing at least about 0.3 weight percent salt, said salt comprising one or more monovalent ions; wherein said binder comprises about 5% to about 65% by weight of said fibrous fabric and said fibrous substrate comprising about 35% to about 95% by weight of said fibrous fabric; and wherein the fabric is dispersible in an aqueous environment containing up to about 200 ppm of one or more divalent and/or multivalent ions.
 2. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein said binder comprises from about 5% to about 35% by weight of said fibrous fabric and said fibrous substrate comprises from about 65% to about 95% by weight of said fibrous fabric.
 3. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein said fibers have a length of about 7-9 mm.
 4. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein said fibers have a length of about 8 mm.
 5. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein said binder comprises from about 5% by weight to about 25% by weight of said fabric.
 6. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein said binder comprises from about 10% by weight to about 20% by weight of said fabric.
 7. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein the binder is dispersible in water containing from about 15 ppm to about 150 ppm of one or more divalent and/or multivalent ions.
 8. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein the binder is insoluble in a neutral salt solution containing from about 0.3 weight percent to about 5 weight percent salt.
 9. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein the binder is insoluble in a neutral salt solution containing from about 1 weight percent to about 4 weight percent salt.
 10. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein the divalent and/or multivalent ions comprise Ca²⁺ions, Mg²⁺ ions, or a combination thereof.
 11. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein the monovalent ions comprise Na⁺ ions, Li⁺ ions, K⁺ ions, NH₄ ⁺ ions, or a combination thereof.
 12. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein the sulfonate anion modified polymer is formed from monomers comprising at least one of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, and one or more alkyl acrylates.
 13. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein the sulfonate anion modified polymer is formed from at least four monomers selected from acrylic acid; 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid and the alkali earth metal or organic amine salts thereof; butyl acrylate; and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.
 14. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein the sulfonate anion modified polymer is formed from at least four monomers selected from acrylic acid: AMPS; NaAMPS; butyl acrylate; and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.
 15. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein the sulfonate anion modified polymer comprises from about 35 to less than about 80 mole percent acrylic acid monomeric units; from greater than 0 to about 20 mole percent 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid monomeric units and alkali earth metal or organic amine salts thereof; from greater than 0 to about 65 mole percent butyl acrylate monomeric units; and from greater than 0 to about 45 mole percent 2-ethylhexyl acrylate monomeric units.
 16. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein the sulfonate anion modified polymer comprises from about 50 to less than about 67 mole percent acrylic acid monomeric units; from greater than 0 to about 10 mole percent 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid monomeric units and alkali earth metal or organic amine salts thereof; from about 15 to about 28 mole percent butyl acrylate monomeric units; and from about 7 to about 15 mole percent 2-ethylhexyl acrylate monomeric units.
 17. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein the sulfonate anion modified polymer comprises from about 57 to less than about 66 mole percent acrylic acid monomeric units; from about 1 to about 6 mole percent 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid monomeric units and alkali earth metal or organic amine salts thereof; from about 15 to about 28 mole percent butyl acrylate monomeric units; and from about 7 to about 13 mole percent 2-ethylhexyl acrylate monomeric units.
 18. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises from about 55 to about 95 weight percent of the sulfonate anion modified polymer.
 19. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises from about 65 to about 85 weight percent of the sulfonate anion modified polymer.
 20. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises from about 5 to about 45 weight percent of the non-crosslinking poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate).
 21. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises from about 15 to about 35 weight percent of the non-crosslinking poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate).
 22. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein the sulfonate anion modified polymer comprises from about 57 to less than about 66 mole percent acrylic acid monomeric units; from about 1 to about 6 mole percent AMPS or NaAMPS monomeric units; from about 15 to about 28 mole percent butyl acrylate monomeric units; and from about 7 to about 13 mole percent 2-ethylhexyl acrylate monomeric units; and wherein the composition comprises from about 65 to about 80 weight percent of the sulfonate anion modified polymer and from about 20 to about 35 weight percent of the non-crosslinking poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate).
 23. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein said fibrous material is a nonwoven fabric.
 24. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein said fibrous material will disperse in water after no more than about 60 minutes.
 25. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein said fibrous material will disperse in water after no more than about 20 minutes.
 26. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein said fibrous material will disperse in water after no more than about 10 minutes.
 27. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein after up to about 60 minutes said fibrous material breaks up into multiple pieces each having an average size of less than about 50% relative to its pre-dispersed size.
 28. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein after up to about 60 minutes said fibrous material breaks up into multiple pieces each having an average size of less than about 40% relative to its pre-dispersed size.
 29. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein after up to about 60 minutes said fibrous material breaks up into multiple pieces each having an average size of less than about 30% relative to its pre-dispersed size.
 30. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein said fabric is used in a disposable personal care product.
 31. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 30, wherein said personal care product is selected from a wipe, diaper, training pant, swimwear, absorbent underpant, adult incontinence product, feminine hygiene product, absorbent pad, wound dressing and bandage.
 32. A disposable absorbent article comprising a water dispersible fibrous fabric, wherein the fabric comprises: a fibrous substrate, the fibrous substrate comprising less than about 20% fiber fraction of fibers having a length of about 6-10 mm in length; and a water-dispersible binder comprising a first polymer formed from at least four monomers selected from acrylic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid and alkali earth metal and organic amine salts thereof, butyl acrylate, and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate; and a second polymer comprising a non-crosslinking poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate); wherein the composition is insoluble in a neutral salt solution containing at least about 0.3 weight percent salt, said salt comprising one or more monovalent ions; wherein said fabric is water dispersible in an aqueous environment containing up to about 200 ppm of one or more multivalent ions and a monovalent ion concentration of less than about 0.5% by weight.
 33. The disposable absorbent article of claim 32, wherein the fibrous substrate comprises pulp and synthetic fibers.
 34. The disposable absorbent article of claim 32, wherein the less than about 20% fiber fraction of fibers having a length of about 6-10 mm in length are synthetic fibers.
 35. The disposable absorbent article of claim 32, wherein at least about 80% of the fiber fraction of the fibrous substrate comprises pulp and less than about 20% of the fiber fraction of the fibrous substrate comprises synthetic fibers.
 36. The disposable absorbent article of claim 32, wherein about 85-95% of the fiber fraction of the fibrous substrate comprises pulp and about 5-15% of the fiber fraction of the fibrous substrate comprises synthetic fibers.
 37. The disposable absorbent article of claim 32, wherein about 3-17% of the fibers of the fibrous substrate have a fiber length of about 6-10 mm.
 38. The disposable absorbent article of claim 32, wherein about 5-15% of the fibers of the fibrous substrate have a fiber length of about 6-10 mm.
 39. The disposable absorbent article of claim 32, wherein about 15% of the fibers of the fibrous substrate have a length of about 8 mm.
 40. The disposable absorbent article of claim 39, wherein the fibers of the fibrous substrate having a length of about 8 mm are synthetic fibers.
 41. The disposable absorbent article of claim 32, wherein said binder comprises less than about 20% by weight of said fibrous fabric and said fibrous substrate comprises more than about 80% by weight of said fibrous fabric.
 42. The disposable absorbent article of claim 32, wherein said binder comprises about 10-15% by weight of said fibrous fabric and said fibrous substrate comprises more than about 85-90% by weight of said fibrous fabric.
 43. The disposable absorbent article of claim 32, wherein the article is a personal care product selected from a wipe, diaper, training pant, swimwear, absorbent underpant, incontinence product, feminine hygiene product, absorbent pad, wound dressing and bandage.
 44. The disposable absorbent article of claim 32, wherein the first polymer of the water-dispersible binder comprises from about 35 to less than about 80 mole percent acrylic acid monomeric units; from greater than 0 to about 20 mole percent 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid monomeric units and alkali earth metal and organic amine salts thereof; from greater than 0 to about 65 mole percent butyl acrylate monomeric units; and from greater than 0 to about 45 mole percent 2-ethylhexyl acrylate monomeric units.
 45. The disposable absorbent article of claim 32, wherein the first polymer of the water-dispersible binder comprises from about 50 to less than about 67 mole percent acrylic acid monomeric units; from greater than 0 to about 10 mole percent 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid monomeric units and alkali earth metal and organic amine salts thereof; from about 15 to about 28 mole percent butyl acrylate monomeric units; and from about 7 to about 15 mole percent 2-ethylhexyl acrylate monomeric units.
 46. The disposable absorbent article of claim 32, wherein the first polymer of the water-dispersible binder comprises from about 57 to less than about 66 mole percent acrylic acid monomeric units; from about 1 to about 6 mole percent 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid monomeric units and alkali earth metal or organic amine salts thereof; from about 15 to about 28 mole percent butyl acrylate monomeric units; and from about 7 to about 13 mole percent 2-ethylhexyl acrylate monomeric units.
 47. The disposable absorbent article of claim 32, wherein the first polymer of the water-dispersible binder is present in an amount from about 55 to about 95 weight percent.
 48. The disposable absorbent article of claim 32, wherein the first polymer of the water-dispersible binder is present in an amount from about 65 to about 85 weight percent.
 49. The disposable absorbent article of claim 32, wherein the second polymer of the water-dispersible binder is present in an amount from about 5 to about 45 weight percent.
 50. The disposable absorbent article of claim 32, wherein the water-dispersible binder comprises from about 15 to about 35 weight percent non-crosslinking poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate).
 51. The disposable absorbent article of claim 32, wherein the first polymer of the water-dispersible binder comprises from about 57 to less than about 66 mole percent acrylic acid monomeric units; from about 1 to about 6 mole percent AMPS or NaAMPS monomeric units; from about 15 to about 28 mole percent butyl acrylate monomeric units; and from about 7 to about 13 mole percent 2-ethylhexyl acrylate monomeric units; and wherein the composition comprises from about 65 to about 80 weight percent of the first polymer and from about 20 to about 35 weight percent of the second polymer.
 52. A wet wipe comprising: a fibrous substrate, wherein less than about 20% of the fibers comprising the fibrous substrate have a length of about 6-10 mm; and an ion-sensitive water-dispersible binder comprising a sulfonate anion modified polymer and a non-crosslinking poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate), wherein the composition is insoluble in a neutral salt solution containing at least about 0.3 weight percent salt, said salt comprising one or more monovalent ions; wherein said binder comprises less than about 25% by weight of said fibrous fabric and said fibrous substrate comprising more than about 75% by weight of said fibrous fabric; wherein the fabric is dispersible in an aqueous environment containing up to about 200 ppm of one or more divalent and/or multivalent ions; and wherein after up to about 60 minutes said fibrous material breaks up into multiple pieces each having an average size of less than about 50% relative to its pre-dispersed size.
 53. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein said binder comprises less than about 25% by weight of said fabric.
 54. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein said binder comprises from about 5% to about 20% by weight of said fabric.
 55. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein said binder comprises from about 10% to about 15% by weight of said fabric.
 56. The water dispersible fibrous fabric of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises from about 75 weight percent of the sulfonate anion modified polymer and about 25 weight percent of the non-crosslinking poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate). 